The profound potential of fungal β-glucans in animal skin wound healing

Abstract

β-glucans have a recognized broad potential for immunomodulation, re-epithelialization, and inflammation mitigation. In veterinary medicine, their role in wound healing is particularly relevant due to these re-epithelializing and anti-inflammatory properties. This study conducted a literature review to evaluate the use of β-glucans in healing cutaneous wounds in animals. The databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase were searched for relevant studies. Only articles published between January 2013 and March 2023 that specifically reported the use of β-glucans as a therapeutic agent for skin wound healing were included. A total of 237 articles were initially identified, but only 17 met the inclusion criteria and methodological standards for analysis. Among these studies, mice were the most frequently used animal model, and β-glucans were most commonly applied in hydrogel formulations. The compiled findings demonstrate that β-glucans contribute positively to the wound healing process by accelerating tissue regeneration and reducing the overall time required for wound closure, showing superior outcomes compared to many conventional treatments.