A pH-sensitive smart hydrogel based on oxidized hyaluronic acid with synergistic antibacterial properties

Wound infections represent a prevalent clinical challenge. Bacterial infections can impede wound healing, potentially resulting in the development of chronic wounds that pose life-threatening risks in severe cases. In this study, a pH-responsive smart hydrogel for the co-delivery of tobramycin (TOB) and the antibiotic adjuvant berberine (BBR) was designed, aiming to reduce side effects and enhance the antibacterial activity of antibiotics. In the simulated inflammatory environment with a pH of 5.0, the release percentages for TOB and BBR after 48 h were 72.12 % and 93.11 %, respectively. Meanwhile, the hydrogel shows marvelous swelling performance, injectability, good biocompatibility, and excellent self-healing characteristics. The antibacterial assays show that BBR potentiated the antibacterial activity of antibiotics, and the synergistic effect of the dual-drug greatly eradicates the majority of bacteria. These findings collectively suggest that pH-responsive smart hydrogels represent a promising strategy for antibiotic delivery.