A multifunctional Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide hydrogel loaded with propolis extract to promote oral mucosal repair

Oral ulcer is a prevalent mucosal injury characterized by bacterial infection, oxidative stress, and dysregulated inflammation, while current therapies remain insufficient to comprehensively regulate the complex healing process. Herein, we developed a multifunctional bioactive hydrogel (DH@Pro) by incorporating propolis extract into a dynamic polysaccharide network composed of Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide and phenylboronic acid-grafted hyaluronic acid HA-PBA. The DH@Pro hydrogel exhibited excellent antioxidant, immunomodulatory, regenerative properties and promoted angiogenesis. In vivo studies using rat oral ulcer models demonstrated that DH@Pro exerted distinct effects throughout different healing phases to achieve comprehensive oral ulcer repair. Furthermore, its therapeutic efficacy in a full-thickness skin wound model highlighted its broader regenerative potential. This study presents a natural polysaccharide-based hydrogel strategy that integrates infection control, inflammation regulation, and regeneration promotion for comprehensive oral ulcer repair.