Revolutionizing wound therapy: polymeric nanocomposite hydrogels, AI-driven nanomedicine and infection resistance strategies

Abstract

Wound infections are a serious public health issue in today's world due to the growing number of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens that can create challenges in treatment. Polymeric nanocomposite hydrogels have been proven to be effective for drug targeting, antimicrobial capabilities and skin bioactivity for wound healing. The review herein targets the design of polymeric nanoparticles for wound healing based on several factors, including molecular weight, shape and zeta potential, and discusses how they influence the physical properties of hydrogels. Synthesis and fabrication methods of polymeric nanocomposite hydrogels, like electrospinning and 3D printing, with some scrutiny of cell proliferation and neovascularization, and inflammatory response modulation, are also discussed. We elaborate on novel smart polymeric nanoparticles with bio-responsive, electroactive and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven mechanisms that can interact with a wound environment to facilitate active, dynamic therapeutic modification. Paradoxically, infection-fighting strategies involve those that are capable of effectively killing bacteria while preserving the microbiome and minimizing resistance emergence mechanisms. Polymeric nanocomposite hydrogels possess great prospects as therapeutic tools; nevertheless, widespread use is hindered by limitations such as large-scale manufacture, regulatory clearance, clinical biocompatibility and an effective transition to actual clinical settings. AI-driven predictive modeling, personalized 3D-printed wound dressings and hydrogels with integrated biosensors could be at the forefront of precision-based, next-generation wound therapy. This review also concentrates on the challenges and further development of polymeric nanocomposite hydrogels in advanced wound care. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.