EXOSOME-ENHANCED HYDROGEL DRESSINGS FOR ACCELERATED ACUTE SKIN WOUND HEALING

Background and Objectives: Acute skin wounds present significant challenges, necessitating effective therapeutic strategies. This study investigates the potential of extra­cellular vesicles (EVs) in combination with hydrogel matrices for improving wound healing outcomes. Materials and Methods: A literature review was conduc­ted following PRISMA guidelines to identify relevant studies. Inclusion criteria comprised prospective in-vivo trials utilizing standardized acute skin wounds on healthy subjects. Key treatments involved topical application of EVs incorporated into hydrogel matrices. Electronic literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Science Direct, and Cochrane Library using specific keywords. Results: Among 541 initially identified publications, 37 studies met inclusion criteria. After full-text analysis, six studies were included in the review. Findings revealed significant advancements in wound healing outcomes when EVs were combined with hydrogel matrices. These combinations demonstrated accelerated wound closure, enhanced tissue regeneration, and increased collagen deposition compared to controls. Conclusions: The integration of EVs with hydrogel matri­ces represents a promising approach for improving acute skin wound healing. Synergistic effects observed in the reviewed studies underscore the potential of this com­bination therapy. However, further research is needed to standardize protocols, optimize dosage and delivery mechanisms, and evaluate long-term safety and efficacy. Overall, this study highlights the potential of EVs and hydrogel matrices in addressing the unmet clinical needs associated with novel acute skin wound management.