Recent developments in novel drug delivery systems for wound healing.

INTRODUCTION: Complete regeneration and restoration of the skin's structure and function with no or minimal scarring remains the goal of wound healing research. Novel pharmaceutical carriers have the potential to deliver wound healing drugs such as antibiotics, antimicrobials, human EGFs, and so on. Thus, offering a potential platform to overcome the limitations of conventional wound dressings. AREAS COVERED: This review will describe various techniques such as microspheres, nanoparticles, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nano and microemulsions, sponges and wafers, and so on, that are successfully applied as carriers for wound healing drugs. Results of various studies including in vitro and in vivo experiments are also discussed. EXPERT OPINION: Controlled and localized delivery of wound healing drugs to the wounds is more convenient than systemic administration as higher concentrations of the medication are delivered directly to the desired area in a sustained manner. They are also capable of providing optimum environmental conditions to facilitate wound healing while eliminating the need for frequent changes of dressings. As the number of people suffering from chronic wounds is increasing around the world, controlled delivery of wound healing agents have enormous potential for patient-friendly wound management.