Gellan gum-based multifunctional hydrogel with enduring sterilization and ROS scavenging for infected wound healing

The progression of severe skin injury healing can be easily impeded by bacterial infections and the resultant overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the wound microenvironment. In this study, we developed a multifunctional antibacterial hydrogel by integrating gallium ion-tannic acid and polydopamine particles into gellan gum via a facile heat-cooling process. By harnessing the synergistic effects of polydopamine for short-term photothermal therapy and gallium ion for long-term chemotherapy, the hydrogel obtained shows outstanding antibacterial activities. Sustained release of gallium ion and tannic acid ensures a prolonged sterilization along with ROS-scavenging benefits. Moreover, this hydrogel demonstrates superior cytocompatibility, hemostatic properties, as well as capabilities including promoting cell migration, and adsorption to bacterial cells and toxin. The therapeutic efficacy of the hydrogel was validated using a mouse model of MRSA-induced cutaneous infections. Overall, this work introduces a straightforward yet highly efficient multifunctional hydrogel platform that combines synergetic antibacterial actions, ROS scavenging, and hemostasis to enhance the healing of bacteria-associated wounds.