Multifunctional materials for modulating enzyme activities in wounds

This book is a result of various trials for development of active multifunctional dressing materials and nanoparticle formulations with suitable exploitation characteristics for chronic wounds treatment. The main focus is on biopolymer-based materials functionalised with active agents for controlled inhibition of major chronic wound enzymes. The capacity of these materials to inhibit proteolytic and oxidative enzymes involved in chronic inflammation was evaluated in vitro. Fabrication of sponge-like biopolymer dressings is described together with their impregnation with natural polyphenolic compounds to be released aiming at control of the deleterious wound enzyme activities. The exploitation characteristics of the sponges, i.e. mechanical properties, biostability, biocompatibility, extent and duration of wound enzymes inhibition, were evaluated. In another approach, thiolated biopolymers were processed into functional nanomaterials, namely: nanoscale films/coatings by using a layer-by-layer technology and nanoparticle formulations obtained from thiolated biopolymers in a one-step sonochemical process.