https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/1/87/pdfInteresting. Much ado...

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/1/87/pdf

Interesting. Much ado about Therapeutic Applications

3.5. HNTs in Wound Healing
The absorptive capacity of HNTs has been used in several wound healing applications.
An HNT/chitosan oligosaccharide nanocomposite was tested for its healing capacity in
a mouse model [71]. The nanocomposite allowed enhanced skin reepithelization and
reorganization compared to controls and the. Results suggested it has potential as a
medical device for wound healing. Chitosan has been combined with HNTs in many would
bandage and healing applications. Li et al. (2014) showed that the HNT/chitosan sponges
significantly increased wound closure ratio compared with pure chitosan. HNT addition
also aided in re-epithelialization and collagen deposition [72].
HNTs and other nanoclays such as montmorillonite used as scaffolds also possess
the capability of improving the wound healing response. For example, Sandri et al. (2020)
produced electrospun scaffolds incorporating these nanoclays, and their results showed
enhanced fibroblast cell attachment and proliferation with very little to no proinflammatory
activity [73]. A final example of potential wound healing applications using HNTs as a key
contributor is the study by Wali et al. (2019) [74]. This study loaded electrospun cellulose
ether-PVA nanofiber mats with HNTs and gentamicin sulfate. As a result, the mats offered
sustained gentamicin release and advanced wound healing in an animal model [74]. The
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12, 87 7 of 16
above studies have demonstrated that HNTs, especially chitosan-HNTs nanocomposites,
have significant potential for burns, chronic wounds, and diabetic foot ulcers.