Application of Antimicrobial Peptides in Wound Dressings

Abstract

Background: Growing antibiotic misuse and the rise of antimicrobial resistance have driven interest in antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as therapeutic agents for wound dressings and clinical wound management. AMPs are short, cationic peptides with broad‑spectrum activity and diverse mechanisms of action that confer a low propensity for resistance development. Methods: We performed a focused literature synthesis to review AMP classification, structural features, antimicrobial mechanisms, and strategies for integrating AMPs into wound dressings. We emphasize materials and delivery approaches reported for hydrogels, electrospun fibers, films, scaffolds, and sponges, and we summarize advances in hybrid systems that combine AMPs with functional materials. Results: AMP‑loaded dressings promote infection control and tissue repair by maintaining a favorable wound microenvironment, enabling controlled peptide release, reducing biofilms, and stimulating cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Hybrid platforms—polysaccharide and stimuli‑responsive hydrogels, metal‑nanoparticle composites, exosome carriers, and cryogels—improve peptide stability and bioavailability while introducing functionalities such as real‑time bacterial sensing, antioxidant activity, and electrical conductivity for electrostimulation. In chronic wounds and burns, AMP‑based dressings show promise for anti‑biofilm activity, immunomodulation, enhanced re‑epithelialization, and reduced risk of resistance compared with conventional antibiotics. Conclusion: We identify key challenges and propose future directions: rational design of tailored AMPs, smart controlled‑release carriers, nanotechnology‑enabled formulations, and strategies to accelerate clinical translation. Advances in these areas are expected to expedite the clinical adoption of AMP‑based wound therapies, offering safer, more effective, and personalized treatment options.