A Paintable Small-Molecule Hydrogel with Antimicrobial and ROS Scavenging Activities for Burn Wound Healing.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Wound Healing

Background:

• Delayed wound healing, often caused by bacterial infection and inflammation, presents a significant clinical challenge.
• Effective burn wound management requires dressings that combat infection, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a paintable, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory hydrogel (Nap-F3K-CA) for burn wound management.
• To investigate the hydrogel's ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduce inflammation, and inhibit bacterial growth.
• To assess the hydrogel's in vivo efficacy in promoting skin structure repair.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of caffeic acid (CA)-functionalized short peptides (Nap-Phe-Phe-Phe-Lys) to form Nap-F3K-CA hydrogels via non-covalent interactions.
• Evaluation of hydrogel properties including adaptability, moisture retention, ROS scavenging, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activity (Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria).
• In vivo assessment of the hydrogel's effect on burn wound healing, focusing on collagen deposition, vascular regeneration, and hair follicle formation.

Main Results:

• The Nap-F3K-CA hydrogel demonstrated effective adaptation to irregular wound beds and maintained a moist environment.
• The hydrogel exhibited potent ROS scavenging, anti-inflammatory, and broad-spectrum antibacterial activities.
• In vivo studies showed significant acceleration of skin structure repair, including enhanced collagen deposition, vascular regeneration, and hair follicle formation.

Conclusions:

• The Nap-F3K-CA hydrogel shows significant potential as a multifunctional dressing for burn wound management.
• Its combined antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties offer a promising approach to overcome clinical challenges in wound healing.
• Further clinical application of this hydrogel is warranted based on its demonstrated efficacy and biocompatibility.