Table 5.

The advantages, disadvantages, and implications of utilizing natural, synthetic, and hybrid polymers in a hydrogel for wound healing.

	Advantages	Disadvantage(s)	Implication(s)	References
Natural polymers
CS	Hemostatic property Pain reduction Shortened inflammatory phase Biocompatible It can act as a gelling polymer	No significant antimicrobial activity when used alone	Other polymers (such as honey) are required to exhibit substantial antimicrobial properties.	[50, 61, 85]
Gelatin	Biocompatible Enhance hemostasis Promote angiogenesis Can retain moisture on wounds Allows rapid drug release	Poor mechanical strength Rapid biodegradation rate Thermal instability Absence of antimicrobial effects	Other polymers (such as CS and synthetic polymers) are required to improve the limitations stated.	[62, 63]
Synthetic polymers
PVA	Biocompatible Good mechanical strength Low toxicity Biodegradable Bioinert Allows good oxygen and nutrient permeability to cells Hydrophilic	Lack of antimicrobial and cell growth promotion properties	Bioactive and antimicrobial natural polymers (such as honey and CS) are required.	[69, 71]
PEG	Hydrophilic Biocompatible Biodegradable Allow efficient nutrient transportation Minimal toxicity Bioinert Good mechanical strength	Its incorporation can alter the properties of the hydrogel, which consists of other polymers Lack of antimicrobial properties naturally	Bioactive and antimicrobial natural polymers (such as honey and CS) are required.	[76, 77]
Hybrid polymer
Honey/CS/gelatin	Rapid and greater exudate absorption Non‐cytotoxic Synergistic antimicrobial activity by CS and honey	Honey weakens hydrogel's mechanical strength	The ratio of each component in the hydrogel should be studied and optimized to achieve a desirable hydrogel for wound healing.	[83, 85]
Honey/CS/PVA	Improved mechanical strength, thermal stability, and moisture content properties Reduction in WVTR Biocompatible Similar tensile strength to human's skin Antimicrobial	Honey weakens hydrogel's mechanical strength	The ratio of each component in the hydrogel should be studied and optimized to achieve a desirable hydrogel for wound healing.	[50, 87, 88]

Abbreviations: CS, chitosan; PEG, polyethylene glycol; PVA, poly(vinyl alcohol); WVTR, water vapor transmission rate.