An injectable anti-microbial and adhesive hydrogel for the effective noncompressible visceral hemostasis and wound repair

Abstract

An in-situ formed hemostatic hydrogel (GelMA/OD/Borax) was prepared for the emergency wound hemostasis and anti-inflammation applications. Gelatin was chosen as the backbone and modified with methacrylic anhydride (MA) to synthesize GelMA, which showed the admirable UV light activatable polymerizing ability. Aldehyde groups, which cross-linked with the -NH2 on the tissue surface and afforded the tissue adhesion, were produced by oxidizing the o-hydroxyl groups of dextran. Further, the sodium tetraborate formed dynamic boric acid ester bonds with the oxidized dextran (OD). With this triple-network structure, the as-prepared hydrogel presented excellent hemostatic capacity and surmounted a high blood pressure of 165 mmHg, which is higher than the threshold systolic blood pressure of healthy adults (i.e., 120 mmHg). The mechanical property, morphology, biocompatibility and degradation of the hydrogel were character Borax, the hydrogel successfully blocked the bleeding and accelerated the wound healing. This research provides a new modality for the design of a multifunctional hemostatic hydrogel for effective hemostasis and wound healing.