Advances in magnesium-incorporated polymeric scaffolds: A next-generation strategy for enhanced wound healing

Wound management continues to present major clinical challenges, often necessitating therapeutic strategies that extend beyond conventional dressings, which provide only passive protection. Magnesium (Mg), a biologically indispensable element, has attracted considerable attention for its multifaceted role in wound repair, including modulation of inflammatory responses, stimulation of fibroblast and keratinocyte proliferation, promotion of angiogenesis, and enhancement of collagen synthesis. However, the direct application of Mg formulations is limited by uncontrolled Mg ion (Mg²⁺) release, localized cytotoxicity at elevated concentrations, and inadequate mechanical stability at the wound site. To address these challenges, Mg-incorporated polymeric scaffolds have been developed as advanced delivery platforms. These systems integrate the regenerative capacity of Mg with the tunable properties of polymers, enabling controlled degradation, mechanical reinforcement, and sustained Mg²⁺ release to establish a favorable microenvironment for tissue repair. This review critically examines the role of Mg in wound healing and the effectiveness of polymeric matrices for controlled Mg²⁺ delivery. It further provides a comprehensive evaluation of recent advances in Mg-incorporated polymeric scaffolds, including nanofibers, hydrogels, and sponges, with emphasis on fabrication strategies, structural characteristics, and therapeutic efficacy. Key challenges, such as optimizing ion release kinetics, enhancing scaffold stability, and facilitating clinical translation, are also discussed. Collectively, this work underscores the potential of Mg-polymeric scaffolds as a next-generation platform for advanced wound care and highlights perspectives for future research and development.