Pyrogallol loaded chitosan-based polymeric hydrogel for controlling Acinetobacter baumannii wound infections: Synthesis, characterization, and topical application

Abstract

Antibacterial hydrogels have emerged as a promising approach for wound healing, owing to their ability to integrate antibacterial agents into the hydrogel matrix. Benefiting from its remarkable antibacterial and wound-healing attributes, pyrogallol has been introduced into chitosan-gelatin for the inaugural development of an innovative antibacterial polymeric hydrogel tailored for applications in wound healing. Hence, we observed the effectiveness of pyrogallol in inhibiting the growth of A. baumannii, disrupting mature biofilms, and showcasing robust antioxidant activity both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, pyrogallol promoted the migration of human epidermal keratinocytes and exhibited wound healing activity in zebrafish. These findings suggest that pyrogallol holds promise as a therapeutic agent for wound healing. Interestingly, the pyrogallol-loaded chitosan-gelatin (Pyro-CG) hydrogel exhibited enhanced mechanical strength, stability, controlled drug release, biodegradability, antibacterial activity, and biocompatibility. In vivo results established that Pyro-CG hydrogel promotes wound closure and re-epithelialization in A. baumannii-induced wounds in molly fish. Therefore, the prepared Pyro-CG polymeric hydrogel stands poised as a potent and promising agent for wound healing with antibacterial properties. This holds considerable promise for the development of effective therapeutic interventions to address the increasing menace of A. baumannii-induced wound infections.