Engineering a Multifunctional Sprayable Curcumin-Modified Polyitaconate-Based Hydrogel to Accelerate...

Hydrogel dressings that can simultaneously curb infection and dampen inflammation are particularly attractive for accelerating multidrug-resistant bacteria-infected wound healing. However, clinical translation of many reported hydrogels is often constrained by multi-component formulations, complicated preparation procedures, and insufficient sprayability, which limit conformal coverage on irregular wound beds. Polyitaconate possesses intrinsic antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities, yet its weak antioxidative properties and lack of thermogelling properties limit its utility in infected wound healing. In this study, we develop a curcumin-modified polyitaconate-based hydrogel (FPIC) that integrates antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. FPIC hydrogel exhibits thermoresponsive gelation, injectability, sprayability, and shear-thinning properties, allowing convenient close contact with complex wound geometries. FPIC hydrogel inhibits bacterial growth, moderates excessive inflammatory responses, and eliminates reactive oxygen species while promoting angiogenesis, thereby facilitating the shift from the inflammatory phase to the proliferative phase of healing. Moreover, FPIC hydrogel enhances collagen deposition, speeds re-epithelialization, and supports balanced tissue remodeling, enabling improved skin regeneration with a lower propensity for fibrosis. These findings establish FPIC hydrogel as a multifunctional and highly bioactive polyitaconate-based hydrogel dressing with strong promise for treating infection- and inflammation-associated wounds and advancing toward clinical use.