Thermosensitive Injectable Sacran-Based Hydrogel with Superbroad Hydrophobic Domains for Rigid Drug-Controlled...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Wound Healing

Background:

• Persistent bacterial infections and inflammation impede full-thickness skin wound healing.
• Current treatments face limitations, including antibiotic overuse and dressing efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel injectable hydrogel for advanced full-thickness skin wound repair.
• To create a multifunctional biomaterial with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and pro-angiogenic properties.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a thermosensitive hydrogel matrix using sacran and poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol).
• Co-loading of tannic acid (TA) and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate (DG) for sustained release via hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding.
• In vitro and in vivo assessments of antibacterial efficacy, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging, cytokine modulation, angiogenesis, and wound closure.

Main Results:

• The hydrogel demonstrated ~100% antibacterial efficacy against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
• Significant ROS scavenging (>94% DPPH scavenging) and suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) were observed.
• In vivo studies showed accelerated wound closure, complete re-epithelialization, enhanced neovascularization, and appendage regeneration, outperforming Tegaderm.

Conclusions:

• The sacran-based injectable hydrogel presents a promising synergistic therapeutic strategy for complex skin injuries.
• This multifunctional biomaterial offers advanced wound care by modulating the wound microenvironment and promoting tissue regeneration.
• The developed hydrogel overcomes limitations of current dressings and antibiotic overuse in wound management.