Tannic acid based multifunctional hydrogels with mechanical stability for wound healing.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Wound Healing Research

Background:

• Conventional wound dressings lack mechanical stability and tissue adhesion, limiting their use in dynamic environments.
• Tannic acid (TA) possesses beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties but suffers from polymerization issues, hindering simple synthesis.
• Developing advanced wound dressings with improved properties is crucial for effective wound management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a one-pot synthesis method for a stable and functional double-network hydrogel for wound dressings.
• To evaluate the mechanical properties, self-healing capabilities, adhesion, and UV-shielding effects of the synthesized hydrogel.
• To assess the efficacy of the hydrogel in promoting wound healing in a preclinical mouse model.

Main Methods:

• A one-pot synthesis was employed to create double-network hydrogels incorporating N-acryloyl glycinamide (NAGA), N-hydroxyethyl acrylamide (HEAA), and tannic acid (TA).
• The hydrogel's mechanical properties (tensile strength, fatigue resistance, notch insensitivity) were tested in vitro.
• Room-temperature self-healing, substrate adhesion, UV shielding, and free radical scavenging abilities were evaluated.
• Wound healing efficacy was assessed in full-layer mouse wound models.

Main Results:

• The synthesized NHT hydrogel demonstrated excellent tensile properties, fatigue resistance, and notch insensitivity, ensuring stability under stress.
• The hydrogel exhibited room-temperature self-healing, broad adhesion to various substrates, and synergistic swelling.
• Tannic acid components provided UV shielding and free radical scavenging, mitigating oxidative stress.
• NHT patches significantly accelerated full-layer wound healing in mice, with complete epithelialization within 14 days.

Conclusions:

• The developed NHT hydrogel offers superior mechanical stability, self-healing, and bioactive properties for advanced wound dressings.
• Its integrated functions make it suitable for dynamic motion environments with high strain and defects.
• This hydrogel shows significant potential for clinical translation in wound management.