Biocompatible and biodegradable Bletilla striata polysaccharides hydrogels crosslinked by BDDE for wound healing through the regulating of macrophage polarization

Abstract

Bletilla striata polysaccharide (BSP) is a naturally occurring polysaccharide that demonstrates notable biocompatibility and biodegradability. Additionally, BSP possesses therapeutic attributes, including anti-inflammatory and reparative actions. Herein, we report a novel BSP hydrogel prepared using 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE) as a cross-linking agent. The hydrogel was synthesized via condensation of the hydroxyl group in the BSP molecule with the epoxy group in BDDE. This technique of preparation preserves BSP's natural properties while avoiding any potentially hazardous or adverse effects that may occur during the chemical alteration. Compared with BSP before crosslinking, BSP hydrogel has distinct advantages, such as a three-dimensional network structure, improved water retention, enhanced swelling capacity, greater thermal stability, and superior mechanical properties. Experiments on in vitro cytotoxicity, hemolysis, and degradation revealed that BSP hydrogel had good biocompatibility and biodegradability. Finally, we evaluated the in vivo wound repair effect of BSP hydrogel, and the results showed that BSP hydrogel had a significant wound-healing effect. Furthermore, the BSP hydrogel promoted the polarization of M1-type macrophages towards the M2-type and reduced the inflammatory response during the wound healing phase. Because of its ease of production, safety, efficacy, and environmental friendliness, BSP hydrogel is considered a highly promising material for wound dressings.