Advances of Nanobiomaterials for Treating Skin Pathological Fibrosis

Skin pathological fibrosis conditions, such as hypertrophic scars (HS) and keloids, where the scar tissue is raised and extends beyond the original wound boundary, are aesthetically unappealing and sometimes painful or itchy, significantly impacting the life quality of patients. In this review, the advances of nanobiomaterials in treating skin pathological fibrosis are summarized and discussed. The focus is on the therapeutic approaches to cellular and molecular targets of HS, highlighting the potential of nanotechnology in scar management. The biofunctional nanomaterials can modulate inflammation, regulate angiogenesis, and promote fibroblast apoptosis. The nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems such as liposomes, ethosomes, and dendritic macromolecules can improve the solubility, stability, and efficacy of drugs, and enhance precise delivery, resulting in better outcomes in HS therapy. Integrating nanomaterials or nanostructures into hydrogels, nanofibers, and microneedles can enhance the biological functionality and maximize the therapeutic effect of nanoparticles (NPs) at the wound site. The important potential of nanotechnology-based scar treatment should be further explored to overcome the current challenges and promote its application in clinical practice.