From:  Functional hydrogel wound dressings for wound healing and localized drug delivery: materials design, mechanisms, and biomedical applications

 Natural and synthetic polymers used in hydrogel formulations and their properties.

PolymersPropertiesUsesSourcesReference
Natural polymers
CarrageenanHighly stable, biodegradable, biocompatible, bioadhesive, antibacterial, and characterized by high tensile strengthStimulates angiogenesis and re-epithelialization and supports wound healingSeaweeds
Algae
Red marine algae		[21]
Guar gumNon-ionic, non-toxic, hydrophilic, biocompatible, and biodegradablePromotes epithelialization, differentiation, and regenerationCyamopsis tetragonolobus[22]
ChitosanBiocompatible, biodegradable, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatoryPromotes keratinocyte and fibroblast activity and supports wound healing and tissue engineeringFungal cell wall
Crustacean exoskeleton		[23]
Sodium alginateBiocompatible and biodegradable; forms a hydrophilic, porous gel with high swelling capacityAbsorbs wound fluid and facilitates the healing processAlgae[24]
Hyaluronic acidStimulates cell motility and is biocompatible, non-immunogenic, biodegradable, and strongly hydrophilicAccelerates wound closure and promotes wound healing, as reflected by increased neo-epidermal thicknessAnimal tissues
Bacterial fermentation		[25]
CollagenNatural polymer that is biocompatible, hemostatic, non-toxic, and able to support tissue development and fibroblast activityPromotes epithelialization and wound healingBovine
Marine		[26]
DextranBiocompatible, biodegradable bacterial hydrophilic polysaccharidePromotes angiogenesis, skin regeneration, and tissue repairLactobacilli
Leuconostoc species		[27]
β-GlucanAntibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, biocompatible, and capable of enhancing immune responsesCan reinitiate the healing process and thereby reduce wound sizeCell wall of bacteria
Lichens
Oats and barley		[28]
Synthetic polymers
Polyethylene glycolHydrophilic polymer, biodegradable, and non-toxicShows potential in wound healing applicationsCondensed ethylene oxide[29]
Polyvinyl alcoholHigh elasticity, water retention capacity and tensile strengthAccelerates chronic diabetic wound healingPolyvinyl acetate[30]
PolyvinylpyrrolidoneHighly stable, non-toxic, and biocompatiblePromotes burn wound healingN-Vinyl-2-pyrrolidone monomer[31]
PNIPAAMThermally stable, hydrophilic polymer with high mechanical strength and good biocompatibilityMay reduce scar formationFree radical polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide[32]
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