Dual cross-linked cellulose-based hydrogel enables antibacterial-antioxidant synergy for diabetic wound healing

Diabetic wounds struggle to self-heal due to excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), persistent microbial infection, and ineffective exudate management. Current wound dressings remain inadequate for effectively modulating this complex pathophysiological microenvironment. Herein, using cotton-derived cellulose and hyaluronic acid as raw materials, we developed a dual-crosslinked hydrogel through a facile and rapid photo-crosslinking process (<10 s), allowing it to be molded into any desired shape to fit irregular wounds. Benefiting from a dynamic and robust dual-crosslinked network, the resulting hydrogel exhibits autonomous self-healing capability, and strong tissue adhesion, making it adaptable to complex wound environments. Notably, owing to the incorporation of quaternized and dopamine groups, it demonstrates a 99% antibacterial rate in vitro and achieves 90% clearance efficiency of ROS in vivo. Furthermore, this design confers the hydrogel with efficient coagulation-promoting and hemostatic capabilities. In type II diabetic wounds, the hydrogel can achieve 100% closure by day 14, and the histological staining revealed enhanced tissue regeneration and orderly collagen deposition. This work presents a promising polysaccharide-based hydrogel with synergistic multifunctionality serving as a versatile therapeutic candidate for the effective management and healing of diabetic wounds.