Tragic Burn Wounds: Treatment with Biopolymers to Clinical Trials

Burn wounds, which impact millions of people worldwide, are very serious injuries that often lead to severe physical, psychological, and socioeconomic consequences. Burn injury can range from minor skin irruption to life-threatening conditions, depending on the seriousness, magnitude and site of burn ( Fig. 14.1 ) [ 1 ]. The source of tissue damage by scalds, liquids and solids or flames, etc., which is another term for burns can be primarily caused by initial heat emanating from burn agent confrontations with skin tissues, while other causes include frictional forces that warm the skin superficially, or cold surfaces’ confrontation—that is, contact with metallic tools/machines/vehicles body parts; radiation (light), chemicals (acidic bases and alkalis), and electric sources [ 2 ]. Burn wounds may cause inflammation and prolonged healing due to the inefficacy of conventional treatments; thus, alternative therapies are imperative. According to a report from the World Health Organization, there are about 300,000 deaths per year due to burns by fire and radiation or chemicals and so on [ 3 ]. Treatment of burn injuries requires a multidisciplinary approach with care by various healthcare professionals including surgeons, nurses and rehabilitation specialists. Current standard medical management generally involves wound debridement, skin grafting and topical antimicrobials. However, these techniques also have disadvantages like the risk of infection, a prolonged recuperation period and even scarring and contractures [ 4–6 ]. Therefore, the demand of the time is to fabricate an ideal wound dressing which not only controls oxidative stress and bacterial strains, but also enhances the healing process, thus reducing the mortality rate [ 7 , 8 ]. Biopolymers are polymeric macromolecules found in animals, plants and microorganisms. Their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and environmentally friendly nature have drawn significant consideration in recent years as an economical answer to traditional oil-based polymers [ 8–10 ]. Biopolymers are classified into numerous categories based on their source and chemical structure, including polysaccharides e.g., cellulose, chitin, alginate, proteins e.g., collagen, gelatin, silk fibroin, and polyesters e.g., poly (lactic acid), hydroxyalkanoates [ 11 , 12 ]. The production of biopolymers can involve various bioprocessing techniques, such as fermentation, enzymatic catalysis, and chemical modification, which allow for the tailoring of their properties to meet specific requirements [ 13 , 14 ]. Additionally, the integration of biopolymers with other materials, such as nanoparticles or synthetic polymers, can result in the development of advanced bio-composite materials with enhanced performance characteristics [ 15 ]. As the global demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly materials continues to grow, the research and development of biopolymers have become an increasingly active area of study. By harnessing the potential of these natural polymers, scientists and engineers are working to address a wide range of challenges, from reducing plastic waste to improving human health and environmental quality [ 16 ]. A vast variety of polymers are produced by living things and are an important component of their morphology, cells, and dry matter. These biopolymers are crucial to an organism’s life cycle because they enable key cellular and metabolic processes. Enzymatic processes produce biopolymers in the cytoplasm, organelles, cytoplasmic membrane, cell wall components, and even extracellularly on the surface of cells. A biopolymer’s synthesis starts in one area of the cell and then proceeds in another as needed. Plants and algae are rich sources of biopolymers that accumulate in organic ecosystems. For instance, the species Gelidium red algae and other brown algae, sometimes referred to as seaweeds, are used to extract nutritional agar and alginin [ 17 , 18 ].