The management of wound healing represents a significant clinical challenge due to the complicated processes involved. Chitosan has remarkable properties that effectively prevent certain microorganisms from entering the body and positively influence both red blood cell aggregation and platelet adhesion and aggregation in the bloodstream, resulting in a favorable hemostatic outcome. In recent years, chitosan-based hydrogels have been widely used as wound dressings due to their biodegradability, biocompatibility, safety, non-toxicity, bioadhesiveness, and soft texture resembling the extracellular matrix. This article first summarizes an overview of the main chemical modifications of chitosan for wound dressings and then reviews the desired properties of chitosan-based hydrogel dressings. The applications of chitosan-based hydrogels in wound healing, including burn wounds, surgical wounds, infected wounds, and diabetic wounds are then discussed. Finally, future prospects for chitosan-based hydrogels as wound dressings are discussed. It is anticipated that this review will form a basis for the development of a range of chitosan-based hydrogel dressings for clinical treatment.

Polycaprolactone (PCL) is widely utilized in biomedical applications such as tissue engineering and drug delivery; however, its limited bioactivity remains a key challenge. In this study, bioactive curcumin–polycaprolactone block copolymers (MCP) were synthesized via ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone and maleic anhydride modified curcumin. The resulting MCP was characterized using FTIR, ¹H NMR, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It demonstrated enhanced antioxidant activity, UV-blocking capacity, and electro spinnability compared to PCL. Electrospun MCP films exhibited improved biocompatibility and promoted fibroblast migration. Furthermore, composite films incorporating MCP into a PVA matrix with and without copper or iron were evaluated for in vivo toxicity and antimicrobial activity. These formulations showed no systemic or contact toxicity in the Galleria mellonella model, confirming their biocompatibility. Films containing copper or iron exhibited selective anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa activity and low but reproducible antioxidant capacity. This study highlights the multifunctionality and biomedical potential of MCP and its composites as tunable platforms for regenerative and antimicrobial applications.