Natural-Origin Bioadhesive Injectable Hydrogels Composed of Polyphenol and Chitosan with Antibacterial Activity for...

This study aimed to develop antibacterial polyphenol-chitosan hydrogel dressings and, more importantly, to compare how three structurally distinct low-cost natural polyphenols-protocatechuic acid (PCA), gallic acid (GA), and tannic acid (TA)-regulate hydrogel performance within the same chitosan platform. PCA, GA, and TA were incorporated into chitosan to obtain the corresponding hydrogels, denoted CS-PCA, CS-GA, and CS-TA. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that all formulations possessed a three-dimensional porous network. Rheological characterization revealed favorable viscoelastic behavior for all polyphenol-containing hydrogels, with CS-TA showing the highest mechanical strength in the present system. The hydrogels also exhibited pH-responsive swelling, good tissue adhesion, self-healing ability, and injectability. In vitro antibacterial assays demonstrated activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms, with CS-TA showing the most favorable overall antibacterial performance under the tested conditions. In a rat full-thickness wound model, hydrogel treatment accelerated wound closure, while H&E staining indicated enhanced granulation tissue formation, collagen deposition, and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration. Collectively, these findings support the use of polyphenol-chitosan composite hydrogels as promising wound-dressing candidates and highlight the value of a side-by-side comparison of PCA, GA, and TA for understanding structure-property-function relationships in this class of materials.