Biological Models for Evaluating Hydrogel-Based Formulations in Wound Healing.

Abstract

Skin, the largest organ of the human body, serves as a critical physico-chemical barrier against environmental insults and plays essential roles in hydration, thermoregulation, immune defense, and metabolic functions. Wound healing is a complex, multistage biological process involving hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Hydrogels have emerged as a promising class of wound dressings due to their high moisture retention, biocompatibility, and ability to mimic the extracellular matrix, thereby supporting accelerated healing and controlled drug delivery. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current hydrogel types-classified by origin, crosslinking mechanisms, and responsiveness to stimuli-and evaluates their use in experimental research on in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo wound healing models. Furthermore, clinical applications of hydrogels in wound therapy are discussed. Advances in semisynthetic and stimuli-responsive hydrogels, along with improved testing models, offer enhanced therapeutic potential and underscore the need for continued innovation to optimize wound care outcomes and alleviate healthcare burdens.