Exploring the Immense Potential of Pectin- and Starch-Based Dressings in Wound Healing

Wound healing is a dynamic and complex process that restores tissue integrity following injury. It involves a series of well-coordinated events that begin with hemostasis, where platelets adhere to exposed collagen at the wound site, initiating the formation of a fibrin clot to temporarily seal the wound. Concurrently, platelets release growth factors, such as transforming growth factorbeta (TGF- β ) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), which recruit immune cells to the site of injury. The next stage involves the infiltration of neutrophils, which work to clear debris and combat infection by releasing proteases that break down damaged tissue. Monocytes then enter the wound area and differentiate into macrophages, initially adopting a pro-inflammatory role to remove pathogens and damaged cells ( Choudhary et al. , 2024 ; Gonzalez et al. , 2016 ; Nirenjen et al. , 2023 ; Wilkinson & Hardman, 2020 ). As the healing progresses, macrophages transition from a pro-inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory phenotype, promoting tissue repair by releasing factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and TGF- β . These growth factors stimulate cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and the formation of granulation tissue, which serves as a scaffold for new tissue formation. Over time, the wound enters the remodeling phase, where granulation tissue is replaced by scar tissue, collagen fibers are reorganized to improve tensile strength, and blood vessels gradually regress ( Dhivya et al. , 2015 ; Fernández-Guarino et al. , 2023 ). The wound gradually contracts and stabilizes as healing completes, with the newly formed tissue regaining strength and functionality as shown in Fig. 12.1.