Wound Dressings Research Articles

Cross-linking of mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticle incorporated gelatin hydrogels by tannic acid with enhanced mechanical performance and stability

Gelatin-based hydrogels are used in diverse biomedical applications, such as wound dressings, tissue regeneration, and cell culture models. However, gelatin requires additional cross-linking to form a stable hydrogel. Tannic acid (TA), a polyphenolic compound, can undergo the Michael addition reaction and Schiff's base reaction with primary amine groups in neutral aqueous solutions. In this work, TA was selected as a cross-linker of gelatin to fabricate hydrogels reacting with primary amine groups in the gelatin molecular chain. Primary amine-modified mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (AMBGNs) were added to further enhance the cross-linking of the system. The swelling ratios and weight losses showed that the most stable hydrogels retain approximately 53 % of their mass after 28 days of immersion in PBS solution. Young's modulus increased significantly with the increase in the content of TA and AMBGNs. The addition of TA and AMBGNs also resulted in a substantial reduction of gelation time. The prepared hydrogels possessed adequate stability and mechanical properties and showed potential for customized application in a variety of clinical service settings, such as wound healing, bone regeneration, and soft tissue regeneration.

Novel Sprayable Antioxidative Dressing Based on Fullerene and Curdlan for Accelerating Chronic Wound Healing.

The effective treatment of chronic wounds represents a critical global medical challenge demanding urgent attention. Persistent inflammation, driven by an excess of reactive oxygen radicals, sets in motion a detrimental cycle leading to chronic wounds and impeding the natural healing process. This study develops a sprayable wound dressing by covalently grafting amino fullerene to carboxymethylated curdlan (CMC-C). This novel dressing exhibits excellent biocompatibility, antioxidant, and reactive oxygen species scavenging properties. Furthermore, it demonstrates a targeted affinity for HEK-a cells, efficiently reducing the inflammatory response while promoting cell proliferation and migration in vitro. Moreover, the animal experiment investigations reveal that CMC-C significantly accelerates chronic wounds healing by regulating the inflammatory process, promoting collagen deposition, and improving vascularization. These results demonstrate the potential of the sprayable dressing (CMC-C) in curing the healing of chronic wounds through the modulation of the inflammatory microenvironment. Overall, the sprayable hydrogel dressing based on water-soluble derivative of fullerene and curdlan emerges as a potential approach for clinical applications in the treatment of chronic wounds.

Transformation of Natural Resin Resina Draconis to 3D Functionalized Fibrous Scaffolds for Efficient Chronic Wound Healing.

Chronic wound healing is a major challenge in clinical practice. Secondary dressing damage and antibiotic resistance are the main obstacles for traditional wound dressings. Resina draconis (RD), a natural resin traditionally used in powder form for wound care, is now considered unsuitable due to the lack of gas permeability and moist environment required for wound healing. Here, RD is incorporated in situ by constructing a 3D coiled fibrous scaffold with polycaprolactone/polyethylene oxide. Due to the high porosity of 3D scaffold, the RD-3D dressings have a favorable swelling capacity, providing permeability and moisture for wound repair. Meanwhile, the transformation of RD powder into 3D dressings fully demonstrates capabilities of RD in rapid hemostasis, bactericidal, and inflammation-regulating activities. In vivo evaluations using pressure ulcer and infected wound models confirm the high efficacy of RD-3D dressing in early wound healing, particularly beneficial in the infected wound model compared to recombinant bovine FGF-basic. Further biological analysis shows that resveratrol, loureirin A, and loureirin B, as potentially bioactive components of RD, individually contribute to different aspects of wound healing. Collectively, RD-3D integrated dressings represent a simple, cost-effective, and safe approach to wound healing, providing an alternative therapy for translating medical dressings from bench to bedside.

Multifunctional Microneedle Patch Based on Metal-Phenolic Network with Photothermal Antimicrobial, ROS Scavenging, Immunomodulatory, and Angiogenesis for Programmed Treatment of Diabetic Wound Healing.

In diabetic patients with skin injuries, bacterial proliferation, accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the tissues, and impaired angiogenesis make wound healing difficult. Therefore, eliminating bacteria, removing ROS, and promoting angiogenesis are necessary for treating acute diabetic wounds. In this study, benefiting from the ability of polyphenols to form a metal-phenolic network (MPN) with metal ions, TA-Eu MPN nanoparticles (TM NPs) were synthesized. The prepared photothermal agent CuS NPs and TM NPs were then loaded onto the supporting base and needle tips of PVA/HA (PH) microneedles, respectively, to obtain PH/CuS/TM microneedles. Antibacterial experiments showed that microneedles loaded with CuS NPs could remove bacteria by the photothermal effect. In vitro experiments showed that the microneedles could effectively scavenge ROS, inhibit macrophage polarization to the M1 type, and induce polarization to the M2 type as well as have the ability to promote vascular endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis. Furthermore, in vivo experiments showed that PH/CuS/TM microneedles accelerated wound healing by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and promoting angiogenesis in a diabetic rat wound model. Therefore, PH/CuS/TM microneedles have efficient antibacterial, ROS scavenging, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and angiogenic abilities and hold promise as wound dressings for treating acute diabetic wounds.

Electrospun lavender essential oil-loaded polylactic acid nanofibrous mats for antioxidant applications

In this study, the lavender essential oil-incorporated polylactic acid (PLA) nanofibers were fabricated by the electrospinning technique with the presence of kolliphor as a nonionic surfactant. The FTIR spectra supported the chemical composition of the fibers. The FTIR spectra demonstrated that there is no chemical reaction present between PLA and lavender essential oil. The SEM images of all nanofibers showed bead-free morphology. ImageJ results showed that the average diameter of lavender oil-loaded fibers ranged between 121.6 ± 32 and 228.2 ± 53 nm. All lavender essential oil-incorporated nanofibers were hydrophobic with satisfactory thermal properties. Furthermore, the lavender essential oil-incorporated PLA nanofibrous mats exhibited good antioxidant activity. The results showed that as the concentration of the essential oil in resulting nanofibers increased, the antioxidant activity also increased. According to the results of this study, lavender essential oil-loaded PLA fibers can be considered for a wide range of potential applications such as active packaging, food coating, facial masks, and wound dressing.

Enhanced diabetic wound healing with injectable hydrogel containing self-assembling nanozymes

To build a smart system in response to the variable microenvironment in infected diabetic wounds, a multifunctional wound dressing was constructed by co-incorporating glucose oxidase (GOx) and a pH-responsive self-assembly Cu2−xSe-BSA nanozyme into a dual-dynamic bond cross-linked hydrogel (OBG). This composite hydrogel (OBG@CG) can adhere to the wound site and respond to the acidic inflammatory environment, initiating the GOx-catalyzed generation of H2O2 and the self-assembly activated peroxidase-like property of Cu2−xSe-BSA nanozymes, resulting in significant hydroxyl radical production to attack the biofilm during the acute infection period and alleviate the high-glucose microenvironment for better wound healing. During the wound recovery phase, Cu2−xSe-BSA aggregates disassembled owing to the elevated pH, terminating catalytic reactive oxygen species generation. Simultaneously, Cu2+ released from the Cu2−xSe-BSA not only promotes the production of mature collagen but also enhances the migration and proliferation of endothelial cells. RNA-seq analysis demonstrated that OBG@CG exerted its antibacterial property by damaging the integrity of the biofilm by inducing radicals and interfering with the energy supply, along with destroying the defense system by disturbing thiol metabolism and reducing transporter activities. This work proposes an innovative glucose consumption strategy for infected diabetic wound management, which may inspire new ideas in the exploration of smart wound dressing.

Fabrication of chitosan/sericin/polyvinyl alcohol nanofiber with silver nanoparticles for wound dressing applications

AbstractDeveloping wound dressings with healing properties is a crucial requirement, especially in developing countries. In this research work, chitosan is extracted from Monomia gladiator crab shells for the first time to fabricate a novel wound dressing. The prepared chitosan (CS) is blended with silk sericin (SS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in three different ratios of PVA:CS:SS (100:0:0), PVA:CS:SS (80:10:10) – AgNPs, and PVA:CS:SS (50:25:25) – AgNPs to produce nanofibers. The developed nanofibers were analyzed under a scanning electron microscope (SEM), tensile testing, and antibacterial activity to study their fiber size, tensile strength, and bactericidal properties, respectively. The cell viability test against L929 cells demonstrates that the prepared wound dressing is noncytotoxic and facilitates cell proliferation. In vivo research on a full‐thickness excision wound model states that the incorporation of SS, CS, and AgNPs into the PVA introduces a novel multifunctional advancement in wound dressing, offering versatile benefits by promoting reepithelialization and collagen deposition. In summary, PVA:CS:SS(50:25:25)‐AgNPs can serve as an excellent wound dressing.Highlights CS extracted from Monomia gladiator crab shells. The extracted CS is blended with SS, PVA and AgNPs to fabricate nanofibers. The inclusion of CS and SS exhibited good tensile strength and antibacterial activity. PVA:CS:SS(50:25:25)‐AgNPs served as an excellent wound dressing.

CeO2-loaded PVA/GelMA core-shell nanofiber membrane to promote wound healing

Chronic wounds are a significant health issue due to various pathogenic abnormalities that hinder the healing process. Nanofiber membranes, with their favorable conductivity for cell growth, proliferation, and adhesion, offer immense potential for effective chronic wound healing. In this study, we utilized the coaxial electrospinning method to synthesize core-shell structured nanofiber membranes for chronic wound healing. To obtain superior nanofiber membranes, we modified the shell part of the electrospun nanofiber by combining gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) with cerium oxide (CeO2). The results show that these nanofibers exhibit promising wound healing properties, including ideal hydrophilicity, swelling ratio, porosity, mechanical properties, antibacterial activity, and fibroblast cell viability. With the addition of 3 % w/v CeO2 nanoparticles (PGCe-3 CL sample), the nanofiber membrane had a 53.7° water contact angle, 384.47 % swelling ratio, 83.91 % porosity, and 8.49 MPa tensile strength, which are optimal for the wound healing process. The PGCe-3 CL sample also demonstrated increased antibacterial activity, reducing bacterial colonies by up to 88.46 % for S. aureus and 93.14 % for E. coli compared to PG-CL and PGCe-1.5 CL. Furthermore, the cell viability test showed that the nanofiber membranes are non-toxic to human dermal fibroblast cells and significantly enhance cell proliferation compared to other samples. Accordingly, the synthesized nanofiber membranes loaded with nano CeO2 in this study show promising performance as suitable dressings for chronic wounds. Moreover, the findings of this study provide valuable insights for developing more effective and innovative materials for chronic wound healing.

State‐of‐the‐Art and Future Challenges of Smart Wound Dressings for Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment

The slow healing process of diabetic wound due to persisting infections in wound bed, owing to hyperglycemia, makes the search for efficient treatments pending. While it is complicated to increase the wound closure rate in diabetic‐related wounds due to the complex pathology, the treatment of such wound with hydrogels is seen as a promising approach and pursued over the years. However, where is this research currently standing in terms of clinical translation of these different multifunctional and stimuli‐responsive hydrogel bandages to accelerate diabetic foot ulcer healing and help to improve the life of the patients and the future of diabetic wound management? This perspective article will review some of the most important advancements in the field and will conclude with some perspectives, considered as relevant in the clinical context.

Hyaluron-Based Bionanocomposites of Silver Nanoparticles with Graphene Oxide as Effective Growth Inhibitors of Wound-Derived Bacteria.

Keeping wounds clean in small animals is a big challenge, which is why they often become infected, creating a risk of transmission to animal owners. Therefore, it is crucial to search for new biocompatible materials that have the potential to be used in smart wound dressings with both wound healing and bacteriostatic properties to prevent infection. In our previous work, we obtained innovative hyaluronate matrix-based bionanocomposites containing nanosilver and nanosilver/graphene oxide (Hyal/Ag and Hyal/Ag/GO). This study aimed to thoroughly examine the bacteriostatic properties of foils containing the previously developed bionanocomposites. The bacteriostatic activity was assessed in vitro on 88 Gram-positive (n = 51) and Gram-negative (n = 37) bacteria isolated from wounds of small animals and whose antimicrobial resistance patterns and resistance mechanisms were examined in an earlier study. Here, 69.32% of bacterial growth was inhibited by Hyal/Ag and 81.82% by Hyal/Ag/GO. The bionanocomposites appeared more effective against Gram-negative bacteria (growth inhibition of 75.68% and 89.19% by Hyal/Ag and Hyal/Ag/Go, respectively). The effectiveness of Hyal/Ag/GO against Gram-positive bacteria was also high (inhibition of 80.39% of strains), while Hyal/Ag inhibited the growth of 64.71% of Gram-positive bacteria. The effectiveness of Hyal/Ag and Hyal/Ag/Go varied depending on bacterial genus and species. Proteus (Gram-negative) and Enterococcus (Gram-positive) appeared to be the least susceptible to the bionanocomposites. Hyal/Ag most effectively inhibited the growth of non-pathogenic Gram-positive Sporosarcina luteola and Gram-negative Acinetobacter. Hyal/Ag/GO was most effective against Gram-positive Streptococcus and Gram-negative Moraxella osloensis. The Hyal/Ag/GO bionanocomposites proved to be very promising new antibacterial, biocompatible materials that could be used in the production of bioactive wound dressings.

A Double Network Composite Hydrogel with Self-Regulating Cu2+/Luteolin Release and Mechanical Modulation for Enhanced Wound Healing.

Designing adaptive and smart hydrogel wound dressings to meet specific needs across different stages of wound healing is crucial. Here, we present a composite hydrogel, GSC/PBE@Lut, that offers self-regulating release of cupric ions and luteolin and modulates mechanical properties to promote chronic wound healing. The double network hydrogel, GSC, is fabricated through photo-cross-linking of gelatin methacrylate, followed by Cu2+-alginate coordination cross-linking. On one hand, GSC allows for rapid Cu2+ release to eliminate bacteria in the acidic pH environment during inflammation and reduces the hydrogel's mechanical strength to minimize tissue trauma during early dressing changes. On the other hand, GSC enables slow Cu2+ release during the proliferation stage, promoting angiogenesis and biocompatibility. Furthermore, the inclusion of pH- and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive luteolin nanoparticles (PBE@Lut) in the hydrogel matrix allows for controlled release of luteolin, offering antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and promoting anti-inflammatory macrophage polarization. In a murine model of Staphylococcus aureus infected wounds, GSC/PBE@Lut demonstrates exceptional therapeutic benefits in antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, angiogenic, and tissue regeneration. Overall, our results suggest that smart hydrogels with controlled bioactive agent release and mechanical modulation present a promising solution for treating chronic wounds.

Large-scale production of a “skin-like” self-pumping fabric for personal sweat management

Fabrics designed for personal sweat management, capable of efficiently transporting sweat away from the skin, are highly sought after for enhancing thermal comfort and conserving energy. However, the fabrication processes for these functional garments require intricate physical and chemical modifications, resulting in poor durability and limited suitability for mass production. In this study, a “skin-like” self-pumping fabric, consisting of hydrophobic polyester coils and hydrophilic microfiber polyester coils arranged on a bi-layer knitting fabric, is presented. This configuration allows for unidirectional wicking of sweat away from the skin. The accumulative one-way transport index increased to 717.18% when spandex filaments were introduced into the polyester fabric, which was greater than that of the pristine polyester fabric (393.71%). This exceptional property is achieved by creating differential capillary effects across a predominant combination of microfiber polyester and ordinary hydrophobic polyester. In addition to functional clothing, this “skin-like” self-pumping fabric has great potential for various applications, including industrial textiles, medical wound dressings, geotechnical engineering, and device diaphragms. Overall, this work presents an effective design to achieve large-scale manufacturing of personal sweat management fabrics, which is expected to guide material design for future innovations in functional textiles.

Effect of collagen hydrogel containing Lavandula officinalis essential oil nanoemulsion in wound healing of infectious burn.

The main cause of mortality in burn patients is infection from burns. Drug-resistant bacteria are the main causes of wound infection, so alternative antibiotic therapies hold significant importance. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of a collagen hydrogel that contains a nanoemulsion of Lavandula essential oil on the healing process of infected burn wounds. In this experimental study, 20 rats were randomly divided after applying burns with a 10 mm diameter hot plate and infecting the wounds with multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa into four groups, including a positive control, a negative control, the first experiment (collagen hydrogel), and the second experiment (collagen hydrogel containing Lavandula essential oil nanoemulsion). On the 4th, 11th, and 18th days, tissue samples were taken for pathology studies. The important parameters in burn wound healing with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining methods were investigated and scored according to Abramov's method. Based on the pathology findings, experimental groups 1 and 2 compared to the negative and positive control groups were effective in rat infection wound healing. The hydrogel scaffold in the experimental groups increased fibroblasts and angiogenesis compared to the control groups. Epithelization was noticed only in the hydrogel group containing nanoemulsion. The study findings suggest that the use of collagen hydrogel with Lavandula essential oil nanoemulsion has potential as a wound dressing. This is because it has the potential to effectively promote healing and act as an antibacterial agent to prevent infections.

Harnessing Bioprinting Technologies for Diabetic Wound Regeneration.

A chronic metabolic condition, diabetes mellitus (DM), is becoming more common all over the globe. Diabetic complications include diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Between fifteen and twenty-five percent of people with diabetes will experience DFU at some point in their lives. Prolonged hospital stays and amputations are common outcomes of DFUs due to the absence of targeted therapy and appropriate wound dressings. Specialized DFU wound care is expected to be in high demand due to the anticipated increase in the prevalence of DM. Therefore, there is a strong need to enhance and create more effective wound dressings and therapies that are unique to DFU. Bioengineered tissues, individualised prostheses, and implants are just a few examples of how 3D bioprinting has revolutionised healthcare in the past decade. This review delves into the difficulties of wound management and explores how 3D bioprinting could improve existing treatment approaches and biomanufacturing composite 3D human skin substitutes as an alternative to skin grafting. To alleviate the healthcare burden caused by the rising incidence of DM, it will be crucial to co-develop 3D bioprinting technologies with new therapeutic techniques to address the unique pathophysiological problems of DFU in the future.

A novel biological antibacterial polyvinyl alcohol/polyionic liquid hydrogel for wound dressing.

The release of antibiotics or anions by traditional bacteriostatic agents led to the development of bacterial drug resistance and environmental pollution. Ionic liquids (ILs) have become important choices for antibacterial agents because of their excellent physical, chemical and biological properties. In this paper, the bioactivities of 1-vinyl-3-butylimidazolium chloride ([VBIM]Cl, IL) and poly (1-vinyl-3-butylimidazolium chloride) (P[VBIM]Cl, PIL) were evaluated, and the potential antibacterial material was used to synthesize hydrogels. Using the colony formation assay and the Oxford cup method, antibacterial effect of IL and PIL were tested. Cell-Counting-Kit-8 (CCK-8) experiments were used to study the IC50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration) values of IL and showed 1.47mg/mL, 0.35mg/mL and 0.33mg/mL at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h, respectively. The IC50 value of PIL were 12.15μg/mL, 12.06μg/mL and 11.76μg/mL at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h, respectively. The PIL is further crosslinked with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to form a novel hydrogel through freeze-thaw cycles. The newly fabricated hydrogel exhibited a high water content, excellent water absorption properties and outstanding mechanical performance. Using the colony formation assay and the inhibition zone assay, the hydrogels exhibited favorable antibacterial effects (against E.coli and S.aureus) such that nearly 100% of the bacteria were killed in liquid medium while cultivating with H4 (synthesized by 0.5g PIL and 1g PVA). In addition, the cytotoxicity of PIL was significantly reduced through hydrogen bond crosslinking. H4 showed the highest antibacterial activity and a good biocompatibility. The results indicated that the PVA&PIL hydrogels had great potential for wound dressing.

Optical properties and antimicrobial of ionic chitosan-MgO-SiO2@ aminolsilane nanocomposites

This investigation involved synthesizing a nanocomposite heterostructure, Chitosan-MgO-SiO2@aminosilane, using the physical blending of chitosan-MgO-silica with aminosilane using the sol–gel technique. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized using x-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning/Transmission Electron Microscope (SEM-EDX/TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and optical analysis to investigate the microstructural and spectroscopic properties. XRD results confirmed the formation of orthorhombic Mg2SiO4 within the fabricated system. FTIR analysis verified interactions among chitosan, MgO-silica, and aminosilane, leading to the development of diverse functional groups, including M-O bonds, silanol-hydroxyl ions, and heteropolymeric-O-M within the chitosan-MgO-SiO2@aminosilane nanocomposite. Optical studies demonstrated that aminosilane-incorporated samples have two distinct absorption bands around 215 nm and 419 nm, corresponding to the electronic transitions π–π* (k-band) and n–π* (R-band), respectively. The absorption band at 400 nm is ascribed to localized surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The incorporation of aminosilane resulted in a decrease in the direct transition energy gap from 2.677 to 2.399 eV. The nanocomposites displayed significant antimicrobial activity against pathogenic microorganisms such as Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and pathogenic fungi Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. The positive antimicrobial response of the fabricated nanocomposites candidates them for various applications, including wound dressings and food packaging.

Kombucha fungus bio-coating for improving mechanical and antibacterial properties of cellulose composites

Some microorganisms can produce biofilm to create survival conditions. These biofilms are highly resistant to different environmental conditions, and dealing with them is challenging. However, it significantly increases bacterial resistance. Hence, most relevant articles focus on destroying and preventing microorganisms' biofilm creation, and very few articles have been written on the use of microorganism biofilm for manufacturing (especially biocomposite manufacturing). Also, biofilm production by microorganisms on the intended surface (bio-coating process) is challenging. This study planned the conditions so kombucha fungus produces biofilm on a cellulose layer (bio-coating on the surface). As a result of this action, Kombucha biofilm created a biocomposite with good barrier properties and mechanical properties (tensile index: 59 k Nm/kg, burst index: 4.8 kPa.m2/g, air permeability: 189 ml/min, porosity percentage: %10, density: 0.85 gr/cm3, contact angle:72°)The composite has such strong antibacterial properties that a significant inhibition zone was formed in the well diffusion test, and a semi-inhibition zone was also observed. This inhibition zone for the Gram-positive pathogen (S. aureus) was 10.2 mm, close to the tetracycline control sample (11 mm). (the other antibacterial test results for S. aureus: MIC:15 µl, MBC:25 µl,R-number:8,and for E.coli MIC: 15 µl, MBC:25 µl, R-number7: inhibition zone:7.4 mm) These results, along with the results of the permeability and mechanical tests, further demonstrate the operational success of this surface modification. Also, due to its properties, this biocomposite can be suggested for use in wound dressing, pharmaceutical coating, and protecting food with high nutritional value and perishability.

Hyaluronic Acid/Chondroitin Sulfate-Based Dynamic Thiol-Aldehyde Addition Hydrogel: An Injectable, Self-Healing, On-Demand Dissolution Wound Dressing.

Frequent removal and reapplication of wound dressings can cause mechanical disruption to the healing process and significant physical discomfort for patients. In response to this challenge, a dynamic covalent hydrogel has been developed to advance wound care strategies. This system comprises aldehyde functionalized chondroitin sulfate (CS-CHO) and thiolated hyaluronic acid (HA-SH), with the distinct ability to form in situ via thiol-aldehyde addition and dissolve on-demand via the thiol-hemithioacetal exchange reaction. Although rarely reported, the dynamic covalent reaction of thiol-aldehyde addition holds great promise for the preparation of dynamic hydrogels due to its rapid reaction kinetics and easy reversible dissociation. The thiol-aldehyde addition chemistry provides the hydrogel system with highly desirable characteristics of rapid gelation (within seconds), self-healing, and on-demand dissolution (within 30 min). The mechanical and dissolution properties of the hydrogel can be easily tuned by utilizing CS-CHO materials of different aldehyde functional group contents. The chemical structure, rheology, self-healing, swelling profile, degradation rate, and cell biocompatibility of the hydrogels are characterized. The hydrogel possesses excellent biocompatibility and proves to be significant in promoting cell proliferation in vitro when compared to a commercial hydrogel (HyStem® Cell Culture Scaffold Kit). This study introduces the simple fabrication of a new dynamic hydrogel system that can serve as an ideal platform for biomedical applications, particularly in wound care treatments as an on-demand dissolvable wound dressing.

Collagen-β-cyclodextrin hydrogels for advanced wound dressings: super-swelling, antibacterial action, inflammation modulation, and controlled drug release

A key strategy in enhancing the efficacy of collagen-based hydrogels involves incorporating polysaccharides, which have shown great promise for wound healing. In this study, semi-interpenetrating polymeric network (semi-IPN) hydrogels comprised of collagen (Col) with the macrocyclic oligosaccharide β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) (20–80 wt.%) were synthesised. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the successful fabrication of these Col/β-CD hydrogels, evidenced by the presence of characteristic absorption bands, including the urea bond band at ∼1740 cm−1, related with collagen crosslinking. Higher β-CD content was associated with increased crosslinking, higher swelling, and faster gelation. The β-CD content directly influenced the morphology and semi-crystallinity. All Col/β-CD hydrogels displayed superabsorbent properties, enhanced thermal stability, and exhibited slow degradation rates. Mechanical properties were significantly improved with contents higher than β-CD 40 wt.%. These hydrogels inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli bacteria and facilitated the controlled release of agents, such as malachite green, methylene blue, and ketorolac. The chemical composition of the Col/β-CD hydrogels did not induce cytotoxic effects on monocytes and fibroblast cells. Instead, they actively promoted cellular metabolic activity, encouraging cell growth and proliferation. Moreover, cell signalling modulation was observed, leading to changes in the expression of TNF-α and IL-10 cytokines. In summary, the results of this research indicate that these novel hydrogels possess multifunctional characteristics, including biocompatibility, super-swelling capacity, good thermal, hydrolytic, and enzymatic degradation resistance, antibacterial activity, inflammation modulation, and the ability to be used for controlled delivery of therapeutic agents, indicating high potential for application in advanced wound dressings.

Effect of a Thermosensitive Hydroxybutyl Chitosan Hydrogel on Postoperative Sequalae and Quality of Life After Impacted Mandibular Third Molar Extraction

BackgroundThird molar (M3) extraction is a common surgery in oral and maxillofacial surgery, and composite wound dressings such as hydroxybutyl chitosan (HBC) may improve postoperative sequala following M3 removal. PurposeThe study purpose was to measure and compare differences in pain, swelling, trismus, wound healing and quality of life (QOL) between the HBC and the control sides in patients undergoing M3 removal. Study design, setting and sampleThis study is a double-blind, split-mouth, randomized clinical trial. Patients who required M3 removal between June 2022 and May 2023 were included. Exclusion criteria included seafood allergies, smoking, poor oral hygiene, and systemic diseases. Predictor variableThe predictor variable was the socket treatment technique. Subjects were randomly assigned to the HBC or control (physiologic saline) side. Primary outcome variableThe primary outcome variables, including pain assessed by visual analog scale, swelling, and maximal incisional opening (MIO), were measured on the first, third, and seventh postoperative days. The secondary outcome variables included QOL and wound healing score measured on the third and seventh days after surgery. CovariatesThe covariates included age, sex and operation time. AnalysesThe Shapiro‒Wilk test was used to evaluate the normality of the data distribution. The paired t test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test was adopted. Statistical significance was set at P <0.05. ResultsThe study included 60 patients (mean age: 25.81 ± 4.91;23 (38%) males, 37(62%) females). A statistically significant difference in the level of pain (HBC: 37.58 ± 4.39 mm, control: 47.00 ± 4.33 mm, day 1, P < 0.001; 21.88 ± 3.25 mm, 35.95 ± 1.57 mm, day 3, P < 0.001), MIO (23.92 ± 1.38 mm, 18.22 ± 1.82 mm, day 1, P<0.001; 30.00 ± 1.61 mm, 23.78 ± 1.70 mm, day 3, P <0.001) and swelling (6.86 ± 0.70 mm, 7.15±0.80 mm, day 3, P=0.006) was detected after surgery. A statistically significant difference in QOL was detected (HBC: 13.70 ± 1.65, control: 18.60 ±2.14, day 3, P<0.001). ConclusionThe application of HBC hydrogels to wounds after impacted mandibular M3 extraction reduces postoperative sequalae, promotes wound healing and improves postoperative quality of life.