Clay minerals used in formulations for cutaneous wound healing: An educational review

• Clay minerals had proven healing properties at all stages of wound healing. • Halloysite and montmorillonite were the mostly used in clay-based formulations. • Clay minerals were often combined with antibacterial in polymer-based formulations. • Films and hydrogels were the main clay-based forms used in cutaneous wound healing. In recent years, the use of clay minerals in wound treatment has been the subject of extensive researches. The present paper aimed to review studies on clay minerals-based formulations for the treatment of cutaneous wounds, highlighting the healing properties attributable to the addition of these minerals in formulations. A review of literature was conducted using the ScienceDirect, Scopus, and PubMed databases to identify research articles evaluating the wound-healing properties of clay mineral-based formulations. Studies reporting positive outcomes were included. Sixty-three (63) research articles were analyzed. The most commonly used minerals were halloysite nanotubes and montmorillonite. The less commonly used ones included bentonite, laponite, sepiolite, kaolinite, hectorite and palygorskite. In most cases, these minerals were combined with active ingredients such as antibacterials and dispersed in polymeric matrices. The identified pharmaceutical included films, hydrogels, electrospun nanofibers, sponge forms, membranes, powders, patches and creams. The results showed that clay minerals not only improved the mechanical and physical properties of the formulations, but also contributed to wound healing. Their presence accelerated hemostasis, reduced inflammation, stimulated cell proliferation and enhanced tissue remodeling. Furthermore, they potentiated and/or prolonged antibacterial activity, which is crucial for wound healing. Generally, these benefits are closed linked to the inherent physical and chemical properties of the clay minerals. Among clays minerals, halloysite and montmorillonite are of considerable interest in wound management for their proven healing properties. Their abundance in nature, biocompatibility and low cost make them a viable choice for effective wound management.