HELPING WOUND HEALING PROCESS THROUGH DRUG DELIVERY SISTEMS

Wound repair is a complex and coordinated process that involves the participation of all the principal molecular and biochemical processes involved in growth and cell differentiation. The in situ administration of bioactive molecules through drug delivery systems can result in enormous therapeutic benefits as it would increase the concentration of the active drugs in the site of interest in time, minimizing the systemic action. In case of both acute and chronic wounds, a local delivery permits a more rapid wound healing with reduced complications due to infection or other diseases. Based on these considerations, the purpose of this thesis is the development of innovative polymer-based delivery systems capable to exert a direct action on wound healing promoting a rapid recovery of tissue function. In the first three chapters alginate-based hydrogels useful for wound treatment in form of hydrated and spongy-like sheets, have been successfully developed. Using different gelation techniques, silver nanoparticles and tea tree oil nanoemulsions were loaded in the alginate hydrogel to obtain a bioactivatedl device with a direct action on wound healing process. Finally, hybrid synthetic hydrotalcite particles loaded with an anti-inflammatory drug were integrated in biodegradable fibers with the aim to achieve bioactive sutures.