Bioinspired Design of an Underwater Adhesive Based on Tea Polyphenol-Modified Silk Fibroin

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Adhesion Science
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Developing underwater adhesives with antimicrobial properties is a significant challenge in biomedical applications.
• Mussel-inspired adhesive mechanisms offer a promising strategy for robust underwater adhesion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a novel biomimetic adhesive (TP-DA/SF) inspired by mussel adhesion.
• To evaluate the adhesive strength, reusability, stability, and antimicrobial properties of the developed biomaterial.
• To assess the efficacy of TP-DA/SF in promoting wound healing in a preclinical model.

Main Methods:

• Silk fibroin (SF) was modified with dopamine (DA) and incorporated with tea polyphenol (TP) to form the TP-DA/SF adhesive.
• Adhesion strength was tested on various substrates and biological tissues.
• Underwater adhesion, reusability, stability in different pH and saline conditions were evaluated.
• Antibacterial and antioxidant properties were assessed.
• Wound healing efficacy was tested in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats.

Main Results:

• TP-DA/SF demonstrated rapid, robust adhesion to diverse substrates and tissues (up to 40 kPa).
• The adhesive exhibited excellent underwater adhesion, reusability (≥10 times), and stability in various aqueous environments, including pH 7.4 buffered saline (PBS).
• TP-DA/SF showed significant antibacterial and antioxidant activities.
• In a rat wound closure model, TP-DA/SF achieved a 93.4% healing rate compared to 83.9% in the control group.

Conclusions:

• The mussel-inspired TP-DA/SF adhesive offers strong, stable underwater adhesion and possesses beneficial antimicrobial properties.
• TP-DA/SF shows significant potential for biomedical applications, particularly in sutureless wound closure and tissue adhesion.
• The biomimetic approach successfully addresses the challenges of developing advanced biomedical adhesives.