Multi-functional antibacterial bio-Patch based on modified hyaluronic acid for skin infected incision repair

The low scarring repair of incision under bacterial infection present significant challenges in clinic. Compared with traditional suture, the application of adhesive bio-patches showed more advantages. In our study, a bio-patch based on modified hyaluronic acid (HA) and ε-Poly-l-lysine (EPL), presented enhanced adhesive mechanical property, antibiotic-free antibacterial efficacy and excellent antioxidant property. The adhesive bio-patch was prepared through polyelectrolyte and schiff base reaction without addition of crosslinker which ensure the biocompatibility of the bio-patch. The pyrocatechol structure in the dopamine-conjugated hyaluronic acid (DH) showed great adhesive mechanical property on the skin, kidney, liver and heart under wet condition. The synergistic effect of gallic acid-modified polyamide ε-poly-l-lysine (EPG) and DH confers upon the biopatch excellent antibacterial efficacy against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli (E. coli), effectively eliminating invading bacteria without the aid of exogenous antibiotics in vivo. Furthermore, the practical efficacy of the DH-EPG biopatch is evaluated in an infected incision model, revealing that the biopatch can prevent the formation of visceral adhesions, facilitate the repair of infected incision, and accelarate the repair of full-thickness skin defect. The prepared antibacterial DAHA-EPG biopatch presented effective prospect in dealing with the risk of infection in incision low scarring repair.