Fish skin dressing for wound regeneration: A bioactive component review of omega-3 PUFAs, collagen and ECM

Wound healing is a complex biological process that involves several stages, including hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Traditional wound dressings, to a certain extent, can provide wound protection but are limited in promoting wound healing, reducing scar formation, and preventing bacterial infections. In recent years, with the advancement of research in biomedical materials, fish skin dressings have become a research hotspot in the field of tissue regeneration due to their remarkable biocompatibility and precious bioactive components. However, current research on fish skin dressings remains focused on clinical treatment. To further deepen and promote the development of fish skin dressings, we put emphasis on discussing main bioactive components in fish skin. This article has reviewed the advantages of fish skin dressings in wound regeneration, especially the promotive effects of its main bioactive components-Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, collagen derived from fish skin, and the extracellular matrix of fish skin-on the wound healing process. Besides, by critically summarizing the research issues of each bioactive component, this review assists researchers in better defining the next direction of research, thereby designing the optimal dressing for different types of wounds.