FILM-FORMING SYSTEMS AS NEXT-GENERATION PLATFORMS FOR WOUND HEALING AND TOPICAL DRUG DELIVERY

Abstract

Wound healing is a complex biological process that requires an optimal microenvironment to facilitate tissue repair, prevent infection, and maintain appropriate moisture balance. Conventional topical formulations and wound dressings often face challenges such as poor adhesion, limited drug retention, frequent reapplication, and reduced patient compliance. Film-forming systems (FFSs) have emerged as innovative platforms for wound management and topical drug delivery, offering significant advantages over traditional dosage forms. These systems are applied as liquid solutions, gels, or emulsions that undergo solvent evaporation upon application, forming a thin, transparent, flexible, and adherent polymeric film directly on the skin. The resulting film provides prolonged residence time, enhanced drug retention, sustained and controlled drug release, barrier protection, and improved patient comfort while maintaining cosmetic acceptability. This review provides a comprehensive overview of film-forming systems, its principle, composition, classification, and therapeutic applications of film-forming systems (FFSs). Their roles in wound healing, topical and transdermal drug delivery, dermatological therapy, and cosmetic applications are highlighted. Recent advances, including nanoparticle-loaded films, bioactive polymers, stimuli-responsive systems, and growth factor-based formulations, are discussed along with current challenges, commercial products, and future prospects. Overall, film-forming systems represent a versatile, and patient-friendly and innovative approach for localized and controlled drug delivery, offering significant potential to improve wound care outcomes and expand the scope of advanced topical therapeutic strategies