Antimicrobial Natural Hydrogels in Biomedicine: Properties, Applications, and Challenges-A Concise Review

Natural hydrogels are widely used as biomedical materials in many areas, including drug delivery, tissue scaffolds, and particularly wound dressings, where they can act as an antimicrobial factor lowering the risk of microbial infections, which are serious health problems, especially with respect to wound healing. In this review article, a number of promising strategies in the development of hydrogels with biocidal properties, particularly those originating from natural polymers, are briefly summarized and concisely discussed. Common strategies to design and fabricate hydrogels with intrinsic or stimuli-triggered antibacterial activity are exemplified, and the mechanisms lying behind these properties are also discussed. Finally, practical antibacterial applications are also considered while discussing the current challenges and perspectives.

Automated summary

This review article briefly introduces the wide application of natural hydrogels as biomedical materials in various areas, particularly wound dressings, where they can act as an antimicrobial factor lowering the risk of microbial infections. The article summarizes and discusses a number of promising strategies in the development of hydrogels with biocidal properties, particularly those from natural polymers. It also exemplifies common strategies to design and fabricate hydrogels with antibacterial activity and discusses the underlying mechanisms. Finally, the article considers practical antibacterial applications, challenges, and perspectives.