{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,30]],"date-time":"2026-10-30T17:19:17Z","timestamp":1793380757467,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":80,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"6","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,1]],"date-time":"2025-06-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1748736000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Gels"],"abstract":"<jats:p>The delayed healing and infection risks associated with chronic wounds and burns pose significant clinical challenges. Traditional dressings provide basic coverage but lack the bioactive properties needed for tissue regeneration and antimicrobial protection. In this study, we developed zinc alginate hydrogel-coated traditional wound dressings (WD@AlgZn) and evaluated their physicochemical properties, antimicrobial performance, and in vivo healing efficacy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a uniform coating of the zinc alginate network on dressing fibers, while Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed the successful incorporation of zinc ions. Antimicrobial assays further demonstrated that WD@AlgZn reduced bacterial loads (CFU\/mL counts) by several orders of magnitude for both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli compared to uncoated controls. An in vivo rat burn wound model exhibited accelerated wound closure when using WD@AlgZn dressings compared to conventional wound care approaches, achieving a 90.75% healing rate by day 21, significantly outperforming the silver sulfadiazine (52.32%), uncoated-dressing (46.58%), and spontaneous-healing (37.25%) groups. Histological analysis confirmed enhanced re-epithelialization, neovascularization, and reduced inflammation in WD@AlgZn-treated tissues. The findings suggest that WD@AlgZn offers a promising alternative for advanced wound management, combining structural robustness with bioactive properties to support efficient wound healing and infection control. These results provide valuable insights into the potential clinical applications of metal-ion cross-linked biopolymeric hydrogel dressings for next-generation wound care strategies.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/gels11060427","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,2]],"date-time":"2025-06-02T10:21:49Z","timestamp":1748859709000},"page":"427","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":14,"title":["Zinc Alginate Hydrogel-Coated Wound Dressings: Fabrication, Characterization, and Evaluation of Anti-Infective and In Vivo Performance"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"11","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8968-504X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Adelina-Gabriela","family":"Niculescu","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania"},{"name":"Research Institute of the University of Bucharest\u2014ICUB, University of Bucharest, 050657 Bucharest, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Alexandra C\u0103t\u0103lina","family":"B\u00eerc\u0103","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6338-9277","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"George Dan","family":"Mogo\u015fanu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rare\u015f Street, 200349 Craiova, Romania"},{"name":"Drug Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rare\u015f Street, 200349 Craiova, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Marius","family":"R\u0103dulescu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Alina Maria","family":"Holban","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91\u201395 Independen\u0163ei Avenue, 050095 Bucharest, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9320-8430","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Daniela","family":"Manuc","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Adina","family":"Alberts","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3036-094X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Alexandru Mihai","family":"Grumezescu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania"},{"name":"Research Institute of the University of Bucharest\u2014ICUB, University of Bucharest, 050657 Bucharest, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Lauren\u0163iu","family":"Mogoant\u0103","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Research Center for Microscopic Morphology and Immunology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rare\u015f Street, 200349 Craiova, Romania"},{"name":"Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rare\u015f Street, 200349 Craiova, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,1]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Le, V.A.T., Trinh, T.X., Chien, P.N., Giang, N.N., Zhang, X.-R., Nam, S.-Y., and Heo, C.-Y. (2022). Evaluation of the Performance of a ZnO-Nanoparticle-Coated Hydrocolloid Patch in Wound Healing. Polymers, 14.","DOI":"10.3390\/polym14050919"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"B\u00e2ldea, I., Soran, M.-L., Stegarescu, A., Opri\u0219, O., Kacso, I., Tripon, S., Adascalitei, A., Fericel, I.G., Decea, R., and Lung, I. (2025). Lilium candidum Extract Loaded in Alginate Hydrogel Beads for Chronic Wound Healing. Gels, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/gels11010022"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Atepileva, A., Ogay, V., Kudaibergen, G., Kaukabaeva, G., Nurkina, A., Mukhambetova, A., Balgazarov, S., Batpen, A., Saginova, D., and Ramazanov, Z. (2024). Exploring the Antibacterial and Regenerative Properties of a Two-Stage Alginate Wound Dressing in a Rat Model of Purulent Wounds. Biomedicines, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/biomedicines12092122"},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Rayyif, S.M.I., Mohammed, H.B., Curu\u021biu, C., B\u00eerc\u0103, A.C., Grumezescu, A.M., Vasile, B.\u0218., Di\u021bu, L.M., Laz\u0103r, V., Chifiriuc, M.C., and Mih\u0103escu, G. (2021). ZnO Nanoparticles-Modified Dressings to Inhibit Wound Pathogens. Materials, 14.","DOI":"10.3390\/ma14113084"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Elsawy, H., Sedky, A., Abou Taleb, M.F., and El-Newehy, M.H. (2022). Antidiabetic Wound Dressing Materials Based on Cellulosic Fabrics Loaded with Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized by Solid-State Method. Polymers, 14.","DOI":"10.3390\/polym14112168"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Rata, D.M., Cadinoiu, A.N., Daraba, O.M., Gradinaru, L.M., Atanase, L.I., and Ichim, D.L. (2023). Influence of ZnO Nanoparticles on the Properties of Ibuprofen-Loaded Alginate-Based Biocomposite Hydrogels with Potential Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Effects. Pharmaceutics, 15.","DOI":"10.3390\/pharmaceutics15092240"},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Alberts, A., Moldoveanu, E.T., Niculescu, A.G., and Grumezescu, A.M. (2025). Hydrogels for Wound Dressings: Applications in Burn Treatment and Chronic Wound Care. J. Compos. Sci., 9.","DOI":"10.3390\/jcs9030133"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Maikovych, O., Pasetto, P., Nosova, N., Kudina, O., Ostapiv, D., Samaryk, V., and Varvarenko, S. (2025). Functional Properties of Gelatin\u2013Alginate Hydrogels for Use in Chronic Wound Healing Applications. Gels, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/gels11030174"},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sathya Seeli, D., Das, A., and Prabaharan, M. (2023). Zinc Oxide\u2013Incorporated Chitosan\u2013Poly(methacrylic Acid) Polyelectrolyte Complex as a Wound Healing Material. J. Funct. Biomater., 14.","DOI":"10.3390\/jfb14040228"},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2892","DOI":"10.1002\/jps.21210","article-title":"Wound healing dressings and drug delivery systems: A review","volume":"97","author":"Boateng","year":"2008","journal-title":"J. Pharm. Sci."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Dhivya, S., Padma, V.V., and Santhini, E. (2015). Wound dressings-a review. BioMedicine, 5.","DOI":"10.7603\/s40681-015-0022-9"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Alberts, A., Bratu, A.G., Niculescu, A.G., and Grumezescu, A.M. (2025). Collagen-Based Wound Dressings: Innovations, Mechanisms, and Clinical Applications. Gels, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/gels11040271"},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"37","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1524-475X.2007.00321.x","article-title":"Biofilms in chronic wounds","volume":"16","author":"James","year":"2008","journal-title":"Wound Repair Regen."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ejpb.2019.03.010","article-title":"An overview of electrospun membranes loaded with bioactive molecules for improving the wound healing process","volume":"139","author":"Miguel","year":"2019","journal-title":"Eur. J. Pharm. Biopharm."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Alberts, A., Tudorache, D.-I., Niculescu, A.-G., and Grumezescu, A.M. (2025). Advancements in Wound Dressing Materials: Highlighting Recent Progress in Hydrogels, Foams, and Antimicrobial Dressings. Gels, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/gels11020123"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ahmadi, S.A., Rastegarpanah, H., Ansari, N., Dortaj, H., Shafaghi, S., Ghorbani, F., and Shafaghi, M. (2024). Preparation and in vivo Evaluation of an Astragalus Gummifer Hydrogel-Based Dressing for Excisional Wound. Biointerface Res. Appl. Chem., 14.","DOI":"10.33263\/BRIAC144.095"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"B\u00eerc\u0103, A.C., Minculescu, M.A., Niculescu, A.-G., Hudi\u021b\u0103, A., Holban, A.M., Alberts, A., and Grumezescu, A.M. (2025). Nanoparticle-Enhanced Collagen Hydrogels for Chronic Wound Management. J. Funct. Biomater., 16.","DOI":"10.3390\/jfb16030091"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Aderibigbe, B.A., and Buyana, B. (2018). Alginate in Wound Dressings. Pharmaceutics, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/pharmaceutics10020042"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Jing, H., Wu, Y., Lin, Y., Luo, T., Liu, H., and Luo, Z. (2024). A Zn2+ cross-linked sodium alginate\/epigallocatechin gallate hydrogel scaffold for promoting skull repair. Colloids Surf. B Biointerfaces, 239.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.colsurfb.2024.113971"},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Cui, S., Yang, F., Yu, D., Shi, C., Zhao, D., Chen, L., and Chen, J. (2023). Double Network Physical Cross-linked Hydrogel for Healing Skin Wounds: New Formulation Based on Polysaccharides and Zn2. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 24.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms241713042"},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"56","DOI":"10.12968\/jowc.2000.9.2.26338","article-title":"Alginate dressings in surgery and wound management\u2014Part 1","volume":"9","author":"Thomas","year":"2000","journal-title":"J. Wound Care"},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"194","DOI":"10.1016\/j.carbpol.2017.08.104","article-title":"Alginate coated chitosan nanogel for the controlled topical delivery of Silver sulfadiazine","volume":"177","author":"Abdelrazek","year":"2017","journal-title":"Carbohydr. Polym."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"177","DOI":"10.3390\/md21030177","article-title":"Alginate-Based Hydrogels and Scaffolds for Biomedical Applications","volume":"21","year":"2023","journal-title":"Mar. Drugs"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lin, P.H., Sermersheim, M., Li, H., Lee, P.H.U., Steinberg, S.M., and Ma, J. (2017). Zinc in Wound Healing Modulation. Nutrients, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu10010016"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"25","DOI":"10.18413\/rrpharmacology.9.10003","article-title":"Molecular mechanisms of wound healing: The role of zinc as an essential microelement","volume":"9","author":"Yu","year":"2023","journal-title":"Res. Results Pharmacol."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e04831-22","DOI":"10.1128\/spectrum.04831-22","article-title":"Zinc-Based Nanoparticles Reduce Bacterial Biofilm Formation","volume":"11","author":"Fulindi","year":"2023","journal-title":"Microbiol. Spectr."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e14667","DOI":"10.1111\/iwj.14667","article-title":"Biofilm therapy for chronic wounds","volume":"21","author":"Liu","year":"2024","journal-title":"Int. Wound J."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e202000507","DOI":"10.1590\/s0102-865020200050000007","article-title":"Evaluation of wound healing effect of alginate film containing Aloe vera gel and cross-linked with zinc chloride","volume":"35","author":"Koga","year":"2020","journal-title":"Acta Cir. Bras."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"777","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.332.7544.777","article-title":"Wound dressings","volume":"332","author":"Jones","year":"2006","journal-title":"Bmj"},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"244","DOI":"10.1002\/jbm.b.31103","article-title":"Surface modification of polycaprolactone membrane via layer-by-layer deposition for promoting blood compatibility","volume":"87","author":"Liu","year":"2008","journal-title":"J. Biomed. Mater. Res. B Appl. Biomater."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"140","DOI":"10.1016\/j.msec.2013.09.001","article-title":"Chitosan\/polyanion surface modification of styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer membrane for wound dressing","volume":"34","author":"Yang","year":"2014","journal-title":"Mater. Sci. Eng. C Mater. Biol. Appl."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Alberts, A., Bratu, A.G., Niculescu, A.G., and Grumezescu, A.M. (2025). New Perspectives of Hydrogels in Chronic Wound Management. Molecules, 30.","DOI":"10.3390\/molecules30030686"},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Santana, J., Antunes, S., Bonelli, R., and Backx, B. (2023). Development of Antimicrobial Dressings by the Action of Silver Nanoparticles Based on Green Nanotechnology. Lett. Appl. NanoBioScience, 12.","DOI":"10.33263\/LIANBS122.035"},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sellappan, L.K., and Manoharan, S. (2024). Fabrication of bioinspired keratin\/sodium alginate based biopolymeric mat loaded with herbal drug and green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles as a dual drug antimicrobial wound dressing. Int. J. Biol. Macromol., 259.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijbiomac.2023.129162"},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"600","DOI":"10.1166\/jbn.2022.3263","article-title":"Effect of Alginate Gelatin Hydrogel Composited with Nano-Zinc on Cesarean Section Wound Healing","volume":"18","author":"Meng","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Biomed. Nanotechnol."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kolimi, P., Narala, S., Nyavanandi, D., Youssef, A.A.A., and Dudhipala, N. (2022). Innovative Treatment Strategies to Accelerate Wound Healing: Trajectory and Recent Advancements. Cells, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/cells11152439"},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1007\/s40820-021-00751-y","article-title":"Conductive Biomaterials as Bioactive Wound Dressing for Wound Healing and Skin Tissue Engineering","volume":"14","author":"Yu","year":"2021","journal-title":"Nano-Micro Lett."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Stoica, A.E., Chircov, C., and Grumezescu, A.M. (2020). Nanomaterials for Wound Dressings: An Up-to-Date Overview. Molecules, 25.","DOI":"10.3390\/molecules25112699"},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Brumberg, V., Astrelina, T., Malivanova, T., and Samoilov, A. (2021). Modern Wound Dressings: Hydrogel Dressings. Biomedicines, 9.","DOI":"10.3390\/biomedicines9091235"},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Azimi, B., Maleki, H., Zavagna, L., De la Ossa, J.G., Linari, S., Lazzeri, A., and Danti, S. (2020). Bio-Based Electrospun Fibers for Wound Healing. J. Funct. Biomater., 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/jfb11030067"},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2020","DOI":"10.1002\/sctm.17-0053","article-title":"Solubilized Amnion Membrane Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel Accelerates Full-Thickness Wound Healing","volume":"6","author":"Murphy","year":"2017","journal-title":"Stem Cells Transl. Med."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Markiewicz-Gospodarek, A., Kozio\u0142, M., Tobiasz, M., Baj, J., Radzikowska-B\u00fcchner, E., and Przekora, A. (2022). Burn Wound Healing: Clinical Complications, Medical Care, Treatment, and Dressing Types: The Current State of Knowledge for Clinical Practice. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 19.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph19031338"},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Jia, B., Li, G., Cao, E., Luo, J., Zhao, X., and Huang, H. (2023). Recent progress of antibacterial hydrogels in wound dressings. Mater. Today Bio, 19.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.mtbio.2023.100582"},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Xu, F., Gao, Y., Xin, H., Cao, C., Ma, W., Sun, W., and Ma, Q. (2025). A review on multifunctional calcium alginate fibers for full-time and multipurposed wound treatment: From fundamentals to advanced applications. Int. J. Biol. Macromol., 290.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijbiomac.2024.139133"},{"key":"ref_45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"103","DOI":"10.1016\/j.carbpol.2015.03.010","article-title":"Novel zinc alginate hydrogels prepared by internal setting method with intrinsic antibacterial activity","volume":"125","author":"Straccia","year":"2015","journal-title":"Carbohydr. Polym."},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wang, Y., Shen, Z., Wang, H., Song, Z., Yu, D., Li, G., Liu, X., and Liu, W. (2025). Progress in Research on Metal Ion Cross-linking Alginate-Based Gels. Gels, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/gels11010016"},{"key":"ref_47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"7853","DOI":"10.1007\/s10570-023-05371-w","article-title":"Zn2+ ions cross-linking sodium alginate encapsulated bacterial cellulose\/ZnO composite film for antibacterial application","volume":"30","author":"Song","year":"2023","journal-title":"Cellulose"},{"key":"ref_48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"39","DOI":"10.1186\/s13567-021-00913-1","article-title":"Zinc is an important inter-kingdom signal between the host and microbe","volume":"52","author":"Xia","year":"2021","journal-title":"Vet. Res."},{"key":"ref_49","first-page":"4470","article-title":"Antibacterial approaches in tissue engineering using metal ions and nanoparticles: From mechanisms to applications","volume":"6","author":"Eckhard","year":"2021","journal-title":"Bioact. Mater."},{"key":"ref_50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1227","DOI":"10.2147\/IJN.S121956","article-title":"The antimicrobial activity of nanoparticles: Present situation and prospects for the future","volume":"12","author":"Wang","year":"2017","journal-title":"Int. J. Nanomed."},{"key":"ref_51","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Alfei, S., Schito, G.C., Schito, A.M., and Zuccari, G. (2024). Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)-Mediated Antibacterial Oxidative Therapies: Available Methods to Generate ROS and a Novel Option Proposal. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 25.","DOI":"10.20944\/preprints202405.1628.v1"},{"key":"ref_52","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mendes, C.R., Dilarri, G., Forsan, C.F., Sapata, V.d.M.R., Lopes, P.R.M., de Moraes, P.B., Montagnolli, R.N., Ferreira, H., and Bidoia, E.D. (2022). Antibacterial action and target mechanisms of zinc oxide nanoparticles against bacterial pathogens. Sci. Rep., 12.","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-022-06657-y"},{"key":"ref_53","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Surowiecka, A., Stru\u017cyna, J., Winiarska, A., and Korzeniowski, T. (2022). Hydrogels in Burn Wound Management\u2014A Review. Gels, 8.","DOI":"10.3390\/gels8020122"},{"key":"ref_54","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"27","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijbiomac.2021.09.047","article-title":"Biocompatible, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory zinc ion cross-linked quaternized cellulose-sodium alginate composite sponges for accelerated wound healing","volume":"191","author":"Xie","year":"2021","journal-title":"Int. J. Biol. Macromol."},{"key":"ref_55","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"911","DOI":"10.1002\/jbm.b.34755","article-title":"Chitosan\/zinc nitrate microneedles for bacterial biofilm eradication","volume":"109","author":"Yi","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Biomed. Mater. Res. Part B Appl. Biomater."},{"key":"ref_56","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Cavallo, I., Sivori, F., Mastrofrancesco, A., Abril, E., Pontone, M., Di Domenico, E.G., and Pimpinelli, F. (2024). Bacterial Biofilm in Chronic Wounds and Possible Therapeutic Approaches. Biology, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/biology13020109"},{"key":"ref_57","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"827","DOI":"10.1128\/CMR.00112-16","article-title":"Current and Emerging Topical Antibacterials and Antiseptics: Agents, Action, and Resistance Patterns","volume":"30","author":"Williamson","year":"2017","journal-title":"Clin. Microbiol. Rev."},{"key":"ref_58","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"33","DOI":"10.1186\/s41038-017-0096-6","article-title":"Topical antimicrobial agents for pediatric burns","volume":"5","author":"Cartotto","year":"2017","journal-title":"Burn. Trauma."},{"key":"ref_59","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1195","DOI":"10.1016\/j.nano.2014.02.012","article-title":"Topical application of zinc oxide nanoparticles reduces bacterial skin infection in mice and exhibits antibacterial activity by inducing oxidative stress response and cell membrane disintegration in macrophages","volume":"10","author":"Pati","year":"2014","journal-title":"Nanomed. Nanotechnol. Biol. Med."},{"key":"ref_60","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Nan, J., Chu, Y., Guo, R., and Chen, P. (2024). Research on the antibacterial properties of nanoscale zinc oxide particles comprehensive review. Front. Mater., 11.","DOI":"10.3389\/fmats.2024.1449614"},{"key":"ref_61","first-page":"1","article-title":"Synthesis of Graphene Quantum Dot Zinc Oxide Nanocomposites: Assessment of their Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity","volume":"14","author":"Kahraman","year":"2024","journal-title":"Biointerface Res. Appl. Chem."},{"key":"ref_62","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Abka-Khajouei, R., Tounsi, L., Shahabi, N., Patel, A.K., Abdelkafi, S., and Michaud, P. (2022). Structures, Properties and Applications of Alginates. Mar. Drugs, 20.","DOI":"10.3390\/md20060364"},{"key":"ref_63","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"106","DOI":"10.1016\/j.progpolymsci.2011.06.003","article-title":"Alginate: Properties and biomedical applications","volume":"37","author":"Lee","year":"2012","journal-title":"Prog. Polym. Sci."},{"key":"ref_64","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Pahlevanzadeh, F., Mokhtari, H., Bakhsheshi-Rad, H.R., Emadi, R., Kharaziha, M., Valiani, A., Poursamar, S.A., Ismail, A.F., RamaKrishna, S., and Berto, F. (2020). Recent Trends in Three-Dimensional Bioinks Based on Alginate for Biomedical Applications. Materials, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/ma13183980"},{"key":"ref_65","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Salesa, B., Sabater, I.S.R., and Serrano-Aroca, \u00c1. (2021). Zinc Chloride: Time-Dependent Cytotoxicity, Proliferation and Promotion of Glycoprotein Synthesis and Antioxidant Gene Expression in Human Keratinocytes. Biology, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/biology10111072"},{"key":"ref_66","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"120","DOI":"10.1093\/toxsci\/kft187","article-title":"Relating cytotoxicity, zinc ions, and reactive oxygen in ZnO nanoparticle-exposed human immune cells","volume":"136","author":"Shen","year":"2013","journal-title":"Toxicol. Sci."},{"key":"ref_67","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"353","DOI":"10.2119\/2008-00033.Prasad","article-title":"Zinc in Human Health: Effect of Zinc on Immune Cells","volume":"14","author":"Prasad","year":"2008","journal-title":"Mol. Med."},{"key":"ref_68","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"709152","DOI":"10.1155\/2014\/709152","article-title":"Zinc therapy in dermatology: A review","volume":"2014","author":"Gupta","year":"2014","journal-title":"Dermatol. Res. Pract."},{"key":"ref_69","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"C404","DOI":"10.1152\/ajpcell.00279.2017","article-title":"Zinc regulates vascular endothelial cell activity through zinc-sensing receptor ZnR\/GPR39","volume":"314","author":"Zhu","year":"2018","journal-title":"Am. J. Physiol.-Cell Physiol."},{"key":"ref_70","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"509","DOI":"10.2337\/db08-1526","article-title":"Engineered zinc finger protein-mediated VEGF-a activation restores deficient VEGF-a in sensory neurons in experimental diabetes","volume":"59","author":"Pawson","year":"2010","journal-title":"Diabetes"},{"key":"ref_71","first-page":"14","article-title":"Enhanced healing of burn wounds by dressings with alginate: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials","volume":"1","author":"Lou","year":"2025","journal-title":"Regenesis Repair Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_72","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"514","DOI":"10.1038\/sj.jid.5700701","article-title":"Inflammation in Wound Repair: Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms","volume":"127","author":"Eming","year":"2007","journal-title":"J. Investig. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_73","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mayor-Ibarguren, A., Busca-Arenzana, C., and Robles-Marhuenda, \u00c1. (2020). A Hypothesis for the Possible Role of Zinc in the Immunological Pathways Related to COVID-19 Infection. Front. Immunol., 11.","DOI":"10.3389\/fimmu.2020.01736"},{"key":"ref_74","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"241","DOI":"10.1016\/bs.apha.2017.08.002","article-title":"Matrix Metalloproteinases, Vascular Remodeling, and Vascular Disease","volume":"81","author":"Wang","year":"2018","journal-title":"Adv. Pharmacol."},{"key":"ref_75","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Cabral-Pacheco, G.A., Garza-Veloz, I., Castruita-De la Rosa, C., Ramirez-Acu\u00f1a, J.M., Perez-Romero, B.A., Guerrero-Rodriguez, J.F., Martinez-Avila, N., and Martinez-Fierro, M.L. (2020). The Roles of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Their Inhibitors in Human Diseases. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 21.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms21249739"},{"key":"ref_76","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wolosowicz, M., Prokopiuk, S., and Kaminski, T.W. (2024). The Complex Role of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in Health and Disease. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 25.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms252413691"},{"key":"ref_77","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Keil, C., H\u00fcbner, C., Richter, C., Lier, S., Barthel, L., Meyer, V., Subrahmanyam, R., Gurikov, P., Smirnova, I., and Haase, H. (2020). Ca-Zn-Ag Alginate Aerogels for Wound Healing Applications: Swelling Behavior in Simulated Human Body Fluids and Effect on Macrophages. Polymers, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/polym12112741"},{"key":"ref_78","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3279","DOI":"10.1016\/j.biomaterials.2012.01.007","article-title":"Alginate derivatization: A review of chemistry, properties and applications","volume":"33","author":"Pawar","year":"2012","journal-title":"Biomaterials"},{"key":"ref_79","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jconrel.2006.04.017","article-title":"Polyionic hydrocolloids for the intestinal delivery of protein drugs: Alginate and chitosan\u2014A review","volume":"114","author":"George","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Control. Release"},{"key":"ref_80","first-page":"249","article-title":"Natural products locally modulators of the cellular response: Therapeutic perspectives in skin burns","volume":"53","author":"Popescu","year":"2012","journal-title":"Rom. J. Morphol. Embryol."}],"container-title":["Gels"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2310-2861\/11\/6\/427\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,9]],"date-time":"2025-10-09T17:45:41Z","timestamp":1760031941000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2310-2861\/11\/6\/427"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,1]]},"references-count":80,"journal-issue":{"issue":"6","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,6]]}},"alternative-id":["gels11060427"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/gels11060427","relation":{},"ISSN":["2310-2861"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2310-2861","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,1]]}}}