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Review
. 2025 Apr 5;11(4):271.
doi: 10.3390/gels11040271.

Collagen-Based Wound Dressings: Innovations, Mechanisms, and Clinical Applications

Adina Alberts  1 , Andreea Gabriela Bratu  2 , Adelina-Gabriela Niculescu  2   3 , Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu  2   3
Affiliations
Review

Collagen-Based Wound Dressings: Innovations, Mechanisms, and Clinical Applications

Adina Alberts et al. Gels. .

Abstract

Collagen-based wound dressings have developed as an essential component of contemporary wound care, utilizing collagen's inherent properties to promote healing. This review thoroughly analyzes collagen dressing advances, examining different formulations such as hydrogels, films, and foams that enhance wound care. The important processes by which collagen promotes healing (e.g., promoting angiogenesis, encouraging cell proliferation, and offering structural support) are discussed to clarify its function in tissue regeneration. The effectiveness and adaptability of collagen dressings are demonstrated via clinical applications investigated in acute and chronic wounds. Additionally, commercially accessible collagen-based skin healing treatments are discussed, demonstrating their practical use in healthcare settings. Despite the progress, the study discusses the obstacles and restrictions encountered in producing and adopting collagen-based dressings, such as the difficulties of manufacturing and financial concerns. Finally, the current landscape's insights indicate future research possibilities for collagen dressing optimization, bioactive agent integration, and overcoming existing constraints. This analysis highlights the potential of collagen-based innovations to improve wound treatment methods and patient care.

Keywords: angiogenesis; chronic wounds; collagen; collagen wound dressing; crosslinking; polymers; wound healing.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Illustration of collagen’s structure: (a) amino acid sequence, (b) tropocollagen, (c) collagen triple helix, and (d) collagen fiber. Adapted from open-access sources [38,39].
Figure 2
Figure 2
Collagen’s involvement in the wound-healing mechanism. Adapted with permission from [56]. Copyright © 2022, Elsevier.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Collagen–PVA composite film loaded with curcumin nanoparticles for sustained drug release and wound healing. Adapted under an open-access license [99].
Figure 4
Figure 4
The BCF/OA shape memory sponges’ design explanation. Reprinted with permission from [104]. Copyright © 2024, Elsevier.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Composite sponge dressings made of Col-AgNPs employed to promote wound healing. Adapted with permission from [105]. Copyright © 2018, American Chemical Society.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Photographs show how collagen-PU-dextran semi-IPN hydrogels (D20 and D30) affected wound closure in type 2 diabetic rats over 21 days. The type 2 diabetes control group and the non-diabetic control group (n = 6) received physiological saline treatment (0.9 wt.%/v.%). The diameter of the orange dotted circle is 12 mm. Reprinted with permission from [113]. Copyright © 2024, John Wiley and Sons.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Illustrations of wounds subjected to NC (negative control), CD (commercial dressing), BHF (blank hydrogel film), and LHF (loaded hydrogel film) after 0, 7, 14, and 21 days after wounding. Reprinted with permission from [114]. Copyright © 2021, Elsevier.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Representative images of skin wounds taken on different days (0–14) show how nanofibers (NFs) affect in vivo wound healing. Group 1 (control), group 2 (PLGA/PMMA/Col/gly (F7)), and group 3 (PLGA/PMMA/Col/gly/SCLE (F11)) are the groups that were analyzed. Reprinted from an open-access source [120].
Figure 9
Figure 9
The application of CS-PEO-Col nanofibers to wound healing. Adapted with permission from [121]. Copyright © 2021, American Chemical Society.
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