Bacterial-responsive biodegradable silver nanoclusters composite hydrogel for infected wound therapy

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Wound Healing Research

Background:

• Bacterial infections significantly impede skin wound healing, necessitating advanced therapeutic strategies.
• Current treatments often face challenges with efficacy and localized delivery.
• Developing smart materials that respond to the wound environment is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and synthesize a silver nanocluster (Ag NCs) composite hydrogel for infected wound treatment.
• To achieve bacterial enzyme-responsive silver ion release for enhanced antibacterial activity.
• To evaluate the hydrogel's efficacy in promoting wound healing and reducing inflammation.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a composite hydrogel using gelatine and polyethylene glycol with DNA-templated Ag NCs.
• Covalent linkage of Ag NCs into a polymer network to form the nanocomposite hydrogel.
• Assessment of hydrogel properties (stiffness, bioadhesion, water absorption) and in vitro/in vivo performance.

Main Results:

• The Ag NCs hydrogel demonstrated excellent mechanical properties, bioadhesion, and water absorption.
• The hydrogel effectively degraded in the presence of bacterial enzymes (protease, DNase), releasing Ag ions.
• Significant bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was observed.
• In vivo studies showed accelerated wound healing, increased cell proliferation, and reduced inflammation.

Conclusions:

• The developed Ag NCs hydrogel offers a promising strategy for infected wound management through enzyme-responsive Ag release.
• This intelligent bandage design facilitates controlled silver ion delivery, enhancing therapeutic outcomes.
• The findings support the advancement of smart wound dressings for improved clinical applications.