Photodynamic therapy with porphyrins for skin wound healing and infection control

Wound healing is a critical component of clinical care, directly influencing patient recovery, infection control, and overall health outcomes. However, effective wound management remains a significant challenge in modern medicine, as conventional therapies often fail to fully address infection control, inflammation, and tissue regeneration. Traditional approaches, including antibiotics, sterile dressings, and sutures, form the foundation of wound care but have notable limitations, especially in chronic or non-healing wounds. The growing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria further underscores the urgent need for innovative therapeutic strategies. This review explores the potential of porphyrins as novel therapeutic agents in wound healing through photodynamic therapy (PDT). Porphyrins, known for their unique molecular structure, light-absorbing properties, and bioactivity, have been widely employed in PDT, particularly for cancer treatment. Their ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon light activation enables them to exert both antimicrobial effects and stimulate tissue regeneration. This review analyzes the role of porphyrins in wound healing, emphasizing their PDT-mediated antimicrobial and regenerative properties, and critically assesses current challenges and future prospects for their integration into clinical wound care protocols.