Multifunctional Prussian-Blue-Based Nanocomposite Hydrogel for Infected Wound Regeneration

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Bacterial infections and inflammation significantly impede wound healing.
• Developing advanced materials is crucial for overcoming these challenges in wound care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a novel injectable nanocomposite hydrogel (DPB-ODQ) for enhanced wound healing.
• To evaluate the hydrogel's physical properties, antibacterial efficacy, and in vivo wound healing performance.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of DPB-ODQ hydrogel using polydopamine-modified Prussian blue nanoparticles and a quaternized chitosan-based Schiff-base network.
• Assessment of hydrogel properties: swelling, gelling speed, mass retention, self-healing, adhesion, and photothermal performance.
• Evaluation of antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, in vitro cell studies, and in vivo wound healing experiments in mice.

Main Results:

• The DPB-ODQ hydrogel exhibited rapid gelling (45 s), high swelling (730%), excellent self-healing, and good adhesion (13.5 kPa).
• The hydrogel demonstrated significant photothermal performance and achieved a bactericidal rate exceeding 96% against S. aureus and E. coli.
• In vivo studies showed an impressive 92.82% wound healing rate in mice, with enhanced fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition.

Conclusions:

• The DPB-ODQ hydrogel is a promising injectable material for wound healing due to its multifaceted properties.
• Its combined photothermal and antibacterial capabilities effectively address infection and promote tissue regeneration.
• This advanced hydrogel holds potential for clinical applications in treating complex wounds.