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Semiclosed Cyclic Hemiaminal-Based Multistimuli- Responsive Hydrogels for Advanced Wound Dressings
Yuzi Yang1, Fen Pan2,3, Cong Jiang4
1Lab of Low-Dimensional Materials Chemistry, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hierarchical Nanomaterials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
This study introduces a novel biodegradable hydrogel that heals wounds by releasing formaldehyde (FA) in response to biological signals. This smart wound dressing demonstrates effective antibacterial and ROS-scavenging properties for accelerated healing.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Wound Healing Research
Background:
- Biodegradable hydrogels are promising for wound healing but fabricating smart hydrogels with unstable hemiaminal structures is difficult.
- Existing wound dressings lack the ability to respond dynamically to complex wound microenvironments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel biodegradable hemiaminal-type polymeric hydrogel (FP-hydrogel) with enhanced mechanical properties and responsiveness.
- To investigate the degradation, formaldehyde release, and therapeutic effects of the FP-hydrogel on infected and chronic wounds.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized FP-hydrogel via one-pot aldimine condensation of poly(ethylene glycol) diamines (PEG-DAs) and polyformaldehyde (PFA).
- Evaluated hydrogel mechanical strength, self-healing, plasticity, and degradation under various biological stimuli (acidic pH, ROS, GSH).
- Assessed formaldehyde release kinetics and antibacterial efficacy against infected wounds, and ROS scavenging in diabetic wound models in vivo.
Main Results:
- The FP-hydrogel exhibited remarkable mechanical strength, self-healing, and plasticity due to stable cyclic hemiaminal structures.
- Degradation occurred in response to acidic pH, ROS, and GSH, with controlled formaldehyde release at pH 6.5.
- Demonstrated significant antibacterial activity and accelerated healing of acute bacterial-infected and chronic diabetic wounds in vivo.
Conclusions:
- The developed FP-hydrogel is a versatile and advanced wound dressing with tunable degradation and therapeutic release.
- Its ability to respond to multiple wound-specific signals promotes efficient healing of complex wounds.
- This smart hydrogel offers a promising alternative to conventional wound care strategies.
