Wounds are structural and functional disruptions of skin that occur because of trauma, surgery, acute illness, or chronic disease conditions. Chronic wounds are caused by a breakdown in the finely coordinated cascade of events that occurs during healing. Wound healing is a long process that split into at least three continuous and overlapping processes: an inflammatory response, a proliferative phase, and finally the tissue remodeling. Therefore, these processes are extensively studied to develop novel therapeutics in order to achieve maximum recovery with minimum scarring. Several growth hormones and cytokines secreted at the site of lesions tightly regulates the healing processes. The traditional approach for wound management has been represented by topical treatments. Metal nanoparticles (e.g., silver, gold and zinc) are increasingly being employed in dermatology due to their favorable effects on healing, as well as in treating and preventing secondary bacterial infections. In the current review, a brief introduction on traditional would healing approach is provided, followed by focus on the potential of wound dressing therapeutic techniques functionalized with Ag-NPs.

Aloe vera is one of the most significant therapeutical plant species that belongs to the family Liliaceae. Aloe vera is composed of a high amount of water, with the remainder being dry matter. The dry matter contains a lot of bioactive compounds like carbohydrates, fats, and enzymes, with various therapeutic and antimicrobial properties. It can enhance the proliferation of cells and prevent cell damage by anti-oxidative properties (stimulating the secretion of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase). Human skin is colonized by microbes like fungi (Candida albicans), bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus), and mites. These commensals are responsible for skin characteristics such as acidic pH, the pungent smell of sweat, etc. Human fetuses lack skin microbiota, and their skin is colonized after birth. Commensals present on the skin have a crucial role in training the human immune system against other pathogenic microbes. Propionibacterium acnes act as an opportunistic pathogen when the balance between the commensals is disturbed. We also emphasize the recent progress in identifying the aloe metabolite biosynthesis pathways and the associated enzyme machinery. The hyperproliferation of Propionibacterium acnes causes acne, and acemannan plays a significant role in its cure. Hence, we need to consider a new treatment approach based on the root cause of this dysbiosis.