Quaternized chitosan-based injectable self-healing hydrogel for improving wound management in aging populations
Guochang Chen1, Xiaowei Xun2, Haiyong Ao2
1Medical Center of Burn Plastic and Wound Repair, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China.
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces
|April 23, 2025
Summary
A new injectable hydrogel made from chitosan enhances wound healing in the elderly. This self-healing material improves dressing stability, reduces infection risk, and accelerates skin repair for better aging population care.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Geriatric Care
Background:
- Skin aging alters wound healing, posing clinical challenges.
- Current treatments for elderly skin wounds require improvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel injectable, self-healing hydrogel for treating skin wounds in the elderly.
- To assess the hydrogel's properties, biocompatibility, and efficacy in promoting wound healing.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a hydrogel from quaternized chitosan and carboxymethyl chitosan (HACC/CMCS) via electrostatic interactions.
- Evaluation of injectability, self-healing capability, adhesion, flexibility, biocompatibility, and antibacterial activity.
- In vivo testing to assess wound healing acceleration, collagen deposition, and senescent cell reduction.
Main Results:
- The HACC/CMCS hydrogel demonstrated excellent injectability and self-healing properties.
- The hydrogel exhibited strong adhesion, flexibility, biocompatibility, and antibacterial activity.
- In vivo studies showed significantly enhanced collagen deposition, reduced senescent cells, and accelerated wound closure.
Conclusions:
- The novel HACC/CMCS hydrogel is a safe, effective, and cost-efficient solution for managing skin wounds in the aging population.
- Its unique properties offer improved wound dressing stability and promote faster, more efficient healing.
