Highly efficient bacteria-infected diabetic wound healing employing a melanin-reinforced biopolymer hydrogel

Abstract

Owing to hyperglycemia-related metabolic abnormalities that cause oxidative stress, recurrent infections, and vascular lesions, the therapeutic management of diabetic wounds is still unsatisfactory. Herein, we present a hydrogel (GCM) wound dressing loaded with melanin nanoparticles in a polysaccharide matrix (biguanide chitosan and oxidized β-glucan) for efficient healing of bacterially infected diabetic wounds. By a simple local injection, a protective GCM hydrogel barrier is established over the wound to rapidly stop bleeding and neutralize inflammatory cytokines. Subsequently, the GCM hydrogel achieves an accelerated transfer from the inflammatory process to the healing phase of the wound because of its excellent photothermal antimicrobial and reactive oxygen species scavenging properties. Additionally, GCM hydrogel has a three-dimensional network structure that dramatically enhances cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis by creating favorable ecological conditions for cell survival. Notably, our GCM hydrogel can help treat a variety of bacteria-infected diabetic wounds like skin and oral ulcer wounds. Collectively, this work provides a new option for diabetic wound treatment.