Polysaccharide-based psyllium dressings: Sustainable and bioactive solutions for healing and biomedical innovation

The development of polysaccharide-based wound dressings has attracted the attention of researchers and the biomedical industry, offering a promising alternative to traditional dressings. Psyllium ( Plantago sp.), a plant native to Western Asia, has gained interest due to the properties of its seed husk, which is rich in hemicellulose and capable of forming strong, water-retentive gels. These characteristics make the extracted polysaccharide a sustainable and safe option for wound treatment. However, few studies have investigated its potential in the biomedical field. This review details studies and patents on Psyllium from the past five years, considering its various forms, such as mucilage, gel, whole seed, and arabinoxylan. It focuses on its origin, nutritional composition, bioactive compounds and healing properties, wound dressing development and characterization methods, microbiological safety, in vivo studies, and emerging technologies. Most studies highlight the potential of Psyllium seed husks for producing membranes, scaffolds, films, and hydrogels with significant wound-healing effects. Psyllium-based dressings offer high swelling capacity, organized porosity, anti-infective properties, and good biocompatibility, but their high porosity limits mechanical strength and exudate absorption. Ongoing formulation strategies aim to improve these drawbacks, and further research is needed to optimize their properties, confirm clinical efficacy, and explore broader biomedical uses such as tissue engineering and drug delivery. • Addresses psyllium as a promising alternative in wound dressings, due to its water retention and release system. • Recognizes its high hemicellulose content, easy gelation, and ability to form wound healing materials. • Reviews studies on its biocompatibility, non-toxicity, bioactivity, and healing acceleration. • Characterization, in vivo studies, safety, and regulatory aspects are highlighted and evaluated. • TTrends, limitations, and future prospects are discussed in this review.