In Situ-Forming, Adhesive, and Antioxidant Chitosan Hydrogels for Accelerated Wound Healing.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Wound Healing

Background:

• Antioxidant hydrogels are promising for wound dressings due to their ability to maintain a moist environment and neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS).
• In situ-forming hydrogels with tissue adhesiveness are highly desirable for wound care, ensuring complete defect filling and intimate wound contact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel antioxidant hydrogel dressing with in situ-forming capability, tissue adhesiveness, and potent antioxidant properties.
• To evaluate the efficacy of the developed hydrogel in promoting wound healing and reducing scar formation in a preclinical model.

Main Methods:

• Conjugation of dopamine onto carboxymethyl chitosan to create a novel polymer.
• Utilizing a horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-catalyzed cross-linking reaction for in situ hydrogel formation under mild conditions.
• Assessment of hydrogel properties including in situ gelation, tissue adhesion, and antioxidant activity.
• Evaluation of wound healing performance in a rat full-thickness skin wound model.

Main Results:

• A novel hydrogel was successfully synthesized by conjugating dopamine onto carboxymethyl chitosan.
• The resulting hydrogel exhibited in situ-forming capability, good tissue adhesiveness, and excellent antioxidant properties.
• In vivo studies demonstrated accelerated wound healing and reduced scar formation in rats treated with the antioxidant hydrogel dressing.

Conclusions:

• The developed dopamine-conjugated carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogel is a promising advanced wound dressing material.
• Its combination of in situ-forming ability, tissue adhesion, and antioxidant capacity effectively promotes wound healing and minimizes scarring.