An Aldehyde-Functionalized Polysaccharide Biosponge for Rapid Absorbable Hemostasis and Skin Tissue Regeneration

Massive hemorrhage and impaired wound healing continue to pose critical clinical challenges, particularly due to the limitations of currently available commercial hemostatic dressings, which often exhibit delayed clot formation, poor regenerative potential, and incomplete biodegradation, leading to secondary inflammation. Here, we developed a hemostatic biosponge from aldehyde-functionalized Colocasia esculenta mucilage (OCO) to address these limitations. The introduction of reactive aldehyde groups forms Schiff's base interactions with amine groups present in blood components, facilitating efficient red blood cell entrapment and accelerated coagulation. In vitro studies demonstrated that the sponge effectively absorbs blood, exhibits blood-clotting ability, and is biocompatible. In vivo studies using a rat liver laceration model showed that the OCO sponge achieved hemostasis within 30 ± 2.4 s, significantly faster than the 102 ± 1.3 s required by a commercial gelatin sponge, highlighting its superior hemostatic performance. Furthermore, in vivo full-thickness skin wound studies confirmed enhanced wound healing, with the OCO-treated group exhibiting 1.10-fold greater wound closure by day 18 compared to the gelatin sponge group and showing gradual resorption without adverse tissue reaction, thereby minimizing the risk of chronic inflammation. Therefore, this engineered OCO biosponge represents a promising biomaterial for bleeding control and skin tissue repair in traumatic conditions.