A pH-sensitive oxidized-dextran based double drug-loaded hydrogel with high antibacterial properties

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Wound Healing Research

Background:

• Bacterial wound infections pose significant challenges to healing.
• Conventional topical antibiotic treatments can be counterproductive due to dosing issues.
• On-demand drug delivery systems are needed for effective infection management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a pH-responsive hydrogel for targeted antibiotic release.
• To investigate the synergistic antibacterial effects of released antibiotics.
• To provide a novel strategy for treating local bacterial infections.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of a pH-responsive hydrogel using oxidized dextran (Dex-CHO), sulfadiazine (SD), and tobramycin (TOB).
• Design of the hydrogel for drug release in a slightly acidic environment (pH 5.0), mimicking early biofilm conditions.
• Evaluation of hydrogel injectability, pH-sensitive drug release kinetics, biocompatibility, and antibacterial activity.

Main Results:

• The hydrogel demonstrated injectability, controlled pH-sensitive drug release, and excellent biocompatibility.
• Released sulfadiazine and tobramycin exhibited a synergistic antibacterial effect.
• The developed hydrogel showed significant antibacterial activity against wound infections.

Conclusions:

• The pH-responsive hydrogel offers a promising on-demand drug delivery strategy for topical antibiotic administration.
• This smart hydrogel system presents a novel and effective approach for treating local bacterial infections.
• The study highlights the potential of tailored hydrogels in advancing wound care and infection management.