Konjac glucomannan/Bletilla striata polysaccharide composite hydrogel: A promising anti-inflammatory dressing for...

A hydrogel with remarkable anti-inflammatory properties holds significant potential for accelerating wound healing. This study focuses on developing a safe and effective wound-healing hydrogel based on polysaccharides. The hydrogel was synthesized by cross-linking Konjac Glucomannan (KGM) and Bletilla Striata Polysaccharide (BSP) using 1,4-Butanediol Diglycidyl Ether (BDDE) and subsequently evaluated as a wound dressing. Compared to hydrogels cross-linked solely with KGM, the co-crosslinked KGM-BSP hydrogel demonstrated superior water retention, enhanced mechanical strength (maximum tensile stress: 6.6 kPa), excellent adhesive properties (maximum shear stress: 848.53 ± 31.4 Pa), and outstanding biocompatibility. Moreover, in vitro anti-inflammatory assays revealed that the KGM-BSP hydrogel effectively inhibited the activation of the TNF-α/NF-κB pathway while upregulating IL-10 expression, thereby mitigating inflammation and facilitating tissue repair during wound healing. Scratch and Western blot assays further indicated that the hydrogel significantly enhanced the migratory capacity of L929 cells by activating the Rho GTPase pathway. In a mouse wound model, the KGM-BSP hydrogel reduced inflammation, promoted angiogenesis, and stimulated collagen deposition, collectively accelerating wound closure. These findings suggest that the KGM-BSP composite hydrogel is a highly promising wound dressing with the potential to markedly enhance the wound healing process.