Wound Healing Efficacy Research Articles

Rational design of bioengineered recombinant collagen-like protein enhances GelMA hydrogel for diabetic wound healing

Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) holds significant potential in tissue engineering; however, its clinical applications are often constrained by its lack of functional groups. To overcome this limitation, recombinant proteins with multiple biofunctional domains present a promising strategy for GelMA functionalization, enhancing its biological properties. In this study, we developed a rationally designed recombinant collagen-like protein (RC) engineered with multiple biofunctional domains, which demonstrated the ability to upregulate collagen 1α (COL-1α) expression in NIH-3 T3 cells. By utilizing EDC/NHS chemistry, the purified RC was conjugated to GelMA, resulting in GelMA-RC hydrogels that significantly improved cell viability and migration compared to unmodified GelMA. Subsequent in vivo studies showed that RC-modified GelMA exhibited superior wound healing efficacy, largely attributed to enhanced expression of cytokeratin-14 (CK-14) and COL-1α. These findings underscore the potential of RC-functionalized GelMA in promoting diabetic wound repair and suggest broader applicability for functionalizing other biomaterials.

Unlocking the wound healing potential of Anastatica hierochuntica L. (Kaff Maryam) Extract's nanosuspension: UPLC-MS/MS metabolic profiling, formulation development and statistical optimization

BackgroundAnastatica hierochuntica L. (Kaff Maryam) is a desert plant with documented therapeutic applications. Various medicinal uses have been reported for the plant extract such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimicrobial, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and hepatoprotective activities. The abundant plants constituents are promising and encourage the investigation of novel therapeutic uses. The principal objective of this study was to identify the bioactive constituents of A. hierochuntica (AH) by phytochemical profiling of its ethanolic extract, alongside an investigation of its wound healing efficacy after being formulated into nanosuspension for topical localized wound treatment. MethodA comprehensive metabolomics study of the ethanolic extract of A. hierochuntica aerial parts was assessed using UPLC MS/MS technique. Additionally, the preparation of AH nanosuspension was executed utilizing the antisolvent-precipitation method. A D-optimal experimental design was adopted to investigate the influence of variables such as: stabilizer ratio, antisolvent: solvent ratio, and stabilizer type on particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential (ZP). The design also was employed in the optimization process. The selected optimal formula was further assessed for size characteristics, morphological identification by TEM, storage stability, FTIR, cytocompatibility with human skin fibroblast (HSF), and scratch assay on HSF to assess wound healing aptitude. ResultsChemical profiling of the aerial parts revealed an abundance of glucosinolates, flavonoids, flavolignans, and fatty acids. The optimized AH-nanosuspension showed small particle size (128.87 ± 26 nm), small PDI (0.136 ± 0.05), and high ZP absolute value (−37.53 ± 0.52 mV). Furthermore, TEM photography of the optimal nanosuspension formula exhibited circular non-aggregating nanosized particles. FTIR confirmed the successful formulation of the AH ethanolic extract into nanosuspension with no physicochemical interactions. Additionally, AH-nanosuspension demonstrated cytocompatibility with HSF with IC50 = 58.317 μg/mL. Moreover, both AH pure extract and AH-nanosuspension exhibited a remarkable cell migration rate and wound closure % which propounds an auspicious wound healing potential. ConclusionThe study accentuates the supremacy of the nanosized delivery approach of AH aerial parts ethanolic extract and warrants further in-vivo investigations to establish its clinical utility for wound management.

Single-cell nanoencapsulation enables fabrication of probiotics-loaded hydrogel dressing with improved wound healing efficacy in vivo

Single-cell nanoencapsulation enables fabrication of probiotics-loaded hydrogel dressing with improved wound healing efficacy in vivo

An injectable hydrogel of porcine cholecyst extracellular matrix for accelerated wound healing.

Hydrogel formulations of xenogeneic extracellular matrices have been widely used for topical wound care because of their exceptional tunability over other formulations like lyophilized sheets, powders, non-injectable gels, pastes, and ointments. This is important in the treatment of wounds with irregular shapes and depth. This study identified an injectable hydrogel formulation of porcine cholecyst extracellular matrix (60%) in medical-grade carboxymethyl cellulose (40%) as vehicle and evaluated its biomaterial properties. Further, an in-depth evaluation of in vivo wound healing efficacy was conducted in a rat full-thickness skin excision wound healing model, which revealed that the hydrogel formulation accelerated wound healing process compared to wounds treated with a commercial formulation and untreated wounds. The hydrogel appeared to have promoted a desirable pro-regenerative tissue reaction predominated by Th2 helper lymphocytes and M2 macrophages as well as an effective collagen remodeling indicative of diminished scarring. In conclusion, the porcine cholecyst extracellular matrix injectable hydrogel formulation appeared to be a promising candidate formulation as an advanced wound care biomaterial for faster healing of skin wounds with minimal scarring.

High strength “breathable” glycosilicone/Aloe vera polysaccharide-based gel dressing for efficient wound repair

Medical wound dressings are effective in protecting wounds, maintaining moisture, creating an optimal healing environment and accelerating wound healing. However, their deficiencies in mechanical properties, adhesion and prevention of adhesion to the wound bed have been identified as limiting factors for their therapeutic efficacy in wound healing. To address these issues, we prepared glycosilicone gel dressings consisting of hydrophobic polysiloxanes and highly hydrophilic polysaccharides via ester exchange and silicone hydrogen addition reactions. Silicone gel dressings exhibit skin-like “respiratory” properties, with good permeability to O2 and CO2. Additionally, elongation and other important parameters are similar to those of the skin, which provides a foundation for the application of silicone gels in the field of wound dressings. The introduction of Aloe vera polysaccharide (AP) results in the glycosilicone gel exhibiting certain mechanical properties, including a tensile strength of 0.35 MPa and an adhesion force of 10 N/m. Furthermore, a mouse model of total skin defect demonstrated that the wound healing rate of the mice on the 12th day was 98 %, which effectively promotes wound healing. Consequently, the glycosilicone gel is anticipated to be an optimal wound dressing.

Self-Growing Hydrogel Bioadhesives for Chronic Wound Management.

Hydrogel bioadhesives have emerged as a promising alternative to wound dressings for chronic wound management. However, many existing bioadhesives do not meet the functional requirements for efficient wound management through dynamically mechanical modulation, due to the reduced wound contractibility, frequent wound recurrence, incapability to actively adapt to external microenvironment variation, especially for those gradually-expanded chronic wounds. Here, a self-growing hydrogel bioadhesive (sGHB) patch that exhibits instant adhesion to biological tissues but also a gradual increase in mechanical strength and interfacial adhesive strength within a 120-h application is presented. The gradually increased mechanics of the sGHB patch could effectively mitigate the stress concentration at the wound edge, and also resist the wound expansion at various stages, thus mechanically contracting the chronic wounds in a programmable manner. The self-growing hydrogel patch demonstrated enhanced wound healing efficacy in a mouse diabetic wound model, by regulating the inflammatory response, promoting the faster re-epithelialization and angiogenesis through mechanical modulation. Such kind of self-growing hydrogel bioadhesives have potential clinical utility for a variety of wound management where dynamic mechanical modulation is indispensable.

Bioengineering strategies for augmenting wound-healing efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles

Bioengineering strategies for augmenting wound-healing efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles

PROGRESS OF KNOWLEDGE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHITOSAN FORMULATIONS WITH INSULIN TO PROMOTE SKIN WOUND HEALING

The treatment of difficult-to-heal wounds is a major problem in modern medicine. The search for new materials and ways to treat wounds is important and timely. Insulin stimulates proliferation, differentiation and migration of skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Chitosan has beneficial biological properties and can be an effective carrier of insulin. This review discusses research into the development of chitosan formulations with insulin to aid local treatment of chronic wounds. The PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched for studies on chitosan preparations with insulin in terms of their efficacy in wound healing. Twelve original English-language articles published in peer-reviewed scientific journals were included in the analysis. Insulin preparations in a chitosan matrix in the form of gel, hydrogel, injection and non-woven dressing are highly effective at all stages of the wound-healing process. They show anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. Insulin from the formulations is released in a prolonged or controlled manner. However, it seems necessary to learn more about the mechanisms of insulin action within lesions. Of note, the data are mainly from basic and preclinical studies. Only one clinical study has been conducted.

Optimization In-vitro Evaluation and Scratch Wound Healing Assay of Hexacosane Topical Gel for Wound Healing.

The compounds hexocosane, a sterol hydrocarbon identified in the dichloromethane extract and isolated from marine sponges of the genus Agelas. Hexocosane possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities that reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, they promote cell proliferation and angiogenesis, facilitating tissue regeneration and repair. This multifaceted approach makes this secondary metabolite a promising candidate for developing advanced wound care therapies that effectively address both infection control and wound healing. On the basis of viscosity, in-vitro release, and skin retention, optimal gel formulations were developed with hexocosane (1%) to achieve the best results. A response surface methodology Box-Behnken design was applied on three factors and three levels [carbopol 940 (1, 1.25 and 1.5%), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) (1,1.5 and 1.2%), and propylene glycol (0–1–1.5% and 1–2%, respectively] using three factors and three levels. In order to assess the spreadability and viscosity, a glass slide and a Brookfield viscometer were used. An assay was conducted to determine how topical gel affects wound healing. The optimization study of the gel formulation, involving variations in adhesive polymer (Carbopol 940), release retarding polymer (HPMC K4M), and penetration enhancer (Surfactant), has identified three noteworthy formulations (F4, F8 & F14). Each formulation is characterized by specific attributes such as viscosity, in-vitro drug release, and skin retention. All samples were found to elicit significant wound healing efficacy as evidenced from the representative photomicrographs. The maximum efficacy was elicited by formulation (F4) with 100 mg drug at the time duration of 36 hours.

A Review on Dermal Wound Repair and Regeneration Using Antimicrobial-Loaded Microspheres Incorporated into Bovine Collagen Scaffold

In this paper, the developed microsphere-incorporated collagen scaffold presents a promising solution for delivering drugs over wound surfaces in a uniform and sustained manner. The biomaterials utilized in this system are of natural origin, minimizing potential toxicity from core materials, and collagen and gelatin exhibit active wound-healing properties. The collagen scaffold used for the delivery device offers several advantages, including minimizing dressing frequency, facilitating easier examination, and providing added aesthetic value. Furthermore, the protein-based biomaterial scaffold acts as a template for the extracellular matrix in the skin, enhancing the maturation of wounds and enabling the transition to the accelerated production of mature and aligned collagen fibers. The controlled release of antimicrobial drugs through denatured collagens and gelatin microspheres, as well as the efficient healing observed in in vivo studies, demonstrate the potential of this system for effective wound care. Overall, the incorporation of ciprofloxacin-loaded microspheres in porous collagen scaffold offers sustained releases of ciprofloxacin in infected environments, as supported by histological examination showing well-formed epidermis and dermis in the connective tissue of the skin. The system’s ability to heal full-thickness wounds within a significantly shorter time frame compared to antibiotic-incorporated collagen sponges further emphasizes its efficacy in wound healing.

Photothermal and Antibacterial PDA@Ag/SerMA Microneedles for Promoting Diabetic Wound Repair.

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a common and severe complication of diabetes characterized by wound neuropathy, ischemia, and susceptibility to infection, making its treatment difficult. Dressings are commonly used in treating diabetic wounds; however, they have disadvantages, including lack of flexibility and mechanical strength, lack of coagulation activity, resistance to biodegradation, and low drug delivery efficiency. Developing more effective strategies for diabetic wound treatment has become a new focus. Microneedles (MN) can be used as a drug delivery platform for DFU wounds, allowing safe, effective, painless and minimally invasive medication administration through the skin. Herein, PDA@Ag/SerMA microneedles were prepared by combining the photothermal properties of polydopamine (PDA), the antimicrobial properties of argentum (Ag), and the ability of sericin methacryloyl (SerMA) to promote cell mitosis to accelerate wound healing and treat diabetic ulcer wounds. The results revealed that PDA@Ag/SerMA microneedles exhibited approximately 100% antimicrobial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli under 808 nm near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. Furthermore, the wound healing rate of mice reached 95% within 12 days, which demonstrated the excellent antibacterial properties and wound healing efficacy of PDA@Ag/SerMA microneedles at cellular and animal levels, providing a potential solution for treating DFU.

Effect of oxidized Bletilla striata polysaccharide on fibrin hydrogel formation and its application in wound healing dressing

Wound healing is influenced by various factors, including oxidative damage, bacterial infection, and inadequate angiogenesis, which collectively contribute to a protracted healing process. In this work, we designed innovative multifunctional hydrogels based on fibrin integrated with Bletilla striata polysaccharides (BSP) or oxidated Bletilla striata polysaccharides (OBSP) for use as wound dressings. The preliminary structure and bioactivity of BSP and OBSP were investigated. The effect of polysaccharides on the self-assembly process of fibrin hydrogels were also evaluated. BSP and OBSP significantly altered the initial fibrin fibrillogenesis and the ultimate structure of the fibrin network. Relative to pure fibrin hydrogel, the incorporation of BSP and OBSP enhanced water swelling and retention, and decelerated the degradation of hydrogels in PBS. Furthermore, BSP and OBSP augmented the antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties of fibrin hydrogels, with OBSP demonstrating superior performance in these aspects. Through the development of a murine wound model, it was observed that the wound healing efficacy of hydrogels incorporating BSP and OBSP surpassed that of the pure fibrin group. Notably, the hydrogel formulated with 25 mg/mL OBSP exhibited the most pronounced therapeutic effect, achieving a healing rate approaching 100 %. Consequently, fibrin-OBSP composite hydrogels demonstrate significant potential as wound dressings.

A Comparison of Wound Healing Efficacy between a Herbal-coated Lipidocolloid Dressing and a Paraffin-based Dressing in Pediatric Burn Patients - A Randomized Controlled Study

Objective: Burn injuries are prevalent among pediatric patients and pose significant challenges in wound management. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of a herbal-coated lipidocolloid dressing (SI-Herb) versus a paraffinbased dressing (Bactigras) in promoting wound healing in pediatric partial-thickness burns. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at Nakhon Pathom Hospital, Thailand, enrolling patients aged 0 to 15 years with partial-thickness burns covering 20% or less of their total body surface area (TBSA) between November 2021 and July 2023. Patients were randomized into SI-Herb (Group S) or Bactigras (Group B) treatment arms. The primary outcome assessed was days to complete wound epithelialization, with secondary outcomes including pain, bleeding, and dressing removal difficulty scores. Results: Of the 28 recruited patients, 25 were included in the analysis (13 in Group S, 12 in Group B). There was no significant difference in complete wound epithelialization between the groups overall (9.2 ± 3.1 days in Group S vs. 11.3 ± 5.2 days in Group B, p = 0.242). However, subgroup analysis of patients with burns ≥10% TBSA showed a significantly shorter epithelialization time in Group S compared to Group B (11.8 ± 1.5 days vs. 15.8 ± 1.6 days, p = 0.007). Additionally, Group S exhibited lower pain, bleeding, and dressing removal difficulty scores compared to Group B (p = 0.042, 0.009, 0.003, respectively). Conclusion: The herbal-coated lipidocolloid dressing demonstrated superior efficacy in promoting faster wound epithelialization in pediatric patients with partial-thickness burns exceeding 10% TBSA compared to the paraffinbased dressing.

Formulation and optimization of surfactant-modified chitosan nanoparticles loaded with cefdinir for novel topical drug delivery: Elevating wound healing efficacy with enhanced antibacterial properties

Burn wounds remain a significant global health concern, frequently exacerbated by bacterial infections that hinder healing and raise morbidity rates. Cefdinir, a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic, is used to treat various conditions, but it has limitations such as low water solubility, limited bioavailability, and a short biological half-life. This study aimed to fabricate and optimize novel surfactant-based Cefdinir-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (CFD-CSNPs) for enhancing topical CFD delivery and efficacy in burn healing. Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was employed to develop optimized CFD-CSNPs using Design Expert® software, where the independent factors were chitosan concentration, chitosan: sodium tripolyphosphate ratio, pH, and surfactant type. Particle size PS, zeta potential ZP, Polydispersity index PDI, and entrapment efficiency EE% were evaluated as dependent factors. CFD-CSNPs were produced using the ionic gelation method. The optimized formula was determined and then examined for further in vitro and in vivo assessments. The optimized CFD-CSNPs exhibited acceptable PS, PDI, and ZP values. The EE% of CFD from CSNPs reached 57.89 % ± 1.66. TEM analysis revealed spherical morphology. In vitro release studies demonstrated a biphasic release profile up to (75.5 % ± 3.8) over 48 hrs. The optimized CFD-CSNPs showed improved antimicrobial efficacy against the tested microorganisms, exhibiting superior performance for both biofilm prevention and eradication. Enhanced wound healing activity was achieved by the optimized CFD-CSNPs in both in vitro and in vivo studies as confirmed by scratch wound assay and skin burn mice model. The current study advocates the efficacy of the innovative topical application of CFD-CSNPs for wound healing purposes and treatment of wound infections.

Curcumin-loaded gold nanoparticles with enhanced antibacterial efficacy and wound healing properties in diabetic rats

Diabetic wounds pose a significant global health challenge. Although curcumin exhibits promising wound healing and antibacterial properties, its clinical potential is limited by low aqueous solubility, and poor tissue penetration. This study aimed to address these challenges and enhance the wound healing efficacy of curcumin by loading it onto gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The properties of the AuNPs, including particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, percent drug entrapment efficiency (%EE) and UV–Vis spectra were significantly influenced by the curcumin/gold chloride molar ratio used in the synthesis of AuNPs. The optimal formulation (F2) exhibited the smallest particle size (41.77 ± 6.8 nm), reasonable PDI (0.59 ± 0.17), high %EE (94.43 ± 0.25 %), a moderate zeta potential (−8.44 ± 1.69 mV), and a well-defined surface Plasmon resonance peak at 526 nm. Formulation F2 was incorporated into Pluronic® F127 gel to facilitate its application to the skin. Both curcumin AuNPs solution and gel showed sustained drug release and higher skin permeation parameters compared with the free drug solution. AuNPs significantly enhanced curcumin’s antibacterial efficacy by lowering the minimum inhibitory concentrations and enhancing antibacterial biofilm activity against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. In a diabetic wound rat model, AuNPs-loaded curcumin exhibited superior wound healing attributes compared to the free drug. Specifically, it demonstrated improved wound healing percentage, reduced wound oxidative stress, increased wound collagen deposition, heightened anti-inflammatory effects, and enhanced angiogenesis. These findings underscore the potential of AuNPs as efficacious delivery systems of curcumin for improved wound healing applications.

Shatadhauta Ghrita and Panchavalkala Prevent Wound Healing In Vivo

Background: Wounds disrupt the integrity of skin or mucosa, causing significant cellular and vascular damage. Historical and modern research aims to improve wound healing through effective management strategies and therapeutic applications, particularly within traditional systems like Ayurveda. This study evaluates the efficacy of Shatadhauta Ghrita (SDG) combined with Panchavalkala Siddha Ghrita (PSSG) for wound healing, assessing their potential as modern treatments. Methods: Thirty mature Wistar strain albino rats were divided into five groups, including a control and treatment groups receiving SDG, Go-Ghrita (GH), and PSSG. Standardized excision wounds were created, and healing was monitored through wound contraction measurements over 21 days. Results: The control group showed a wound contraction of 91.53% after 15 days, increasing to 95.23% by day 21. The GH group exhibited 93.67%, while the SDG group had 87.95%. Notably, the SDG group demonstrated a contraction of 98.67% by day 21, outperforming both control and GH groups. Conclusion: SDG’s superior wound healing efficacy suggests it may serve as an effective topical treatment, supported by traditional Ayurvedic practices. This research emphasizes the importance of integrating traditional knowledge with scientific validation, advocating for further studies on SDG's biological properties and potential applications in modern medicine.

Milk-Based Ointment Accelerates Wound Healing: A Comparative Study in Rabbits

Background: Wound healing is a multi-stage process that restores tissue integrity following injury. While chemical treatments like phenytoin aid in healing, traditional remedies, such as milk-based applications, remain underexplored. Milk, particularly its proteins, is known for promoting tissue repair and collagen synthesis. This study evaluated the wound-healing efficacy of a milk-based ointment (MO) on open skin wounds in rabbits. Methods: Male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to six groups, including negative controls, placebo (eucerin), and 1% phenytoin, alongside three MO groups (2%, 5%, 10% concentrations). The treatments were applied twice daily for 14 days. Wound healing was assessed through macroscopic analysis, tensile strength measurement, hydroxyproline levels, and histological examination. Results: The 5% MO-treated group exhibited the fastest wound healing, achieving full closure in 15 days, outperforming both controls and the phenytoin-treated group (17 days). Hydroxyproline levels and tensile strength were significantly higher in the 5% MO group, indicating enhanced collagen production and stronger tissue regeneration. Histological analysis further confirmed accelerated epithelialization and granulation in MO-treated groups. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that milk-based ointments, particularly at a 5% concentration, significantly enhance wound healing, suggesting their potential as cost-effective, biocompatible alternatives to conventional chemical treatments like phenytoin. Further research is needed to explore clinical applications in humans.

Preparation of hydrogel from the hydroalcoholic root extract of Premna integrifolia L. and its mediated green synthesis of silver nanoparticles for wound healing efficacy

The current investigation concentrated on the fabrication of silver nanoparticles through the root of Premna integrifolia L. The antibacterial and wound healing effects of their silver nanoparticles-hydrogel and root extract-hydrogel were evaluated. The hydroalcoholic root extract of P. integrifolia was enriched with crocetin, ferulic acid, oleanolic acid, oleic acid, syringic acid, and vanillin. The silver nanoparticles were biosynthesized through secondary metabolite-enriched hydroalcoholic root extract (5 %) when mixed with 1 mM AgNO3 and kept under sunlight for 10 minutes. They showed an optimum surface plasmon resonance (SPR) at 447 nm. The aldehyde, phenol, and primary amine groups of the extract reduce silver cations into nanoparticles. The nanoparticles band gap of 2.06 eV showed their semi-conductance behavior. The nanoparticles were spherical, uniformly distributed, and stable. The nanoparticles had a good roughness profile and 57.55 % elemental silver. The silver nanoparticles-hydrogel (10 %) showed an efficient 11±0.11 nm zone of inhibition of S. aureus in comparison to the root extract-hydrogel (10 %), i.e., 9±0.15 nm. The nanoparticles-hydrogel and the root extract-hydrogel did not show noticeable symptoms of acute dermal toxicity. The nanoparticles-hydrogel (10 %) and the root extract-hydrogel (10 %) healed 99.9 % and 97.3 % of the S. aureus- infected wound, respectively. The nanoparticle-hydrogel efficiently induced re-epithelialization in the dermis of S. aureus-infected wound compared to the extract-hydrogel. The nanoparticle-hydrogel enhanced the rate of wound closure.

Fabrication of l-proline enriched alginate dialdehyde-gelatin hydrogel thin films for efficient wound healing applications.

Hydrogel-based wound management systems represent a promising avenue in tissue engineering for restoring and preserving the normal functionality of damaged tissues. Incorporating active components into hydrogel matrices enhances their suitability for biomedical applications. In this study, we investigated the integration of l-proline, a nonessential imino acid with largely unexplored roles in living systems, into alginate dialdehyde-gelatin hydrogel for wound healing purposes. Physicochemical properties of the resulting hydrogel film, termed ADAGLP, were meticulously evaluated, including wound healing efficacy in vitro and anti-biofilm activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis provided insights into the interaction between l-proline and ADAG. Films incorporating 0.5% l-proline were selected for comprehensive investigation. Comparative analysis revealed prolonged gelation time and increased water holding capacity of ADAGLP compared to ADAG films. Moreover, ADAGLP exhibited a significantly higher degradation rate (69.5 ± 3.2%) compared to ADAG (35.2 ± 1.6%). Remarkably, ADAGLP demonstrated cyto-compatibility, non-toxicity, and facilitated migration to the scratch area in vitro conditions. Notably, it exhibited potent anti-biofilm properties. Our findings suggest that ADAGLP hydrogel holds promise as a biomaterial for wound care, offering prolonged drug delivery and maintaining optimal moisture levels in wound areas. The incorporation of l-proline in the wound microenvironment may contribute to enhanced tissue remodeling, by inhibiting biofilm formation, further highlighting the potential of this hydrogel system in wound healing applications.

A One-Nano MOF-Two-Functions Strategy Toward Self-healing, Anti-inflammatory, and Antibacterial Hydrogels for Infected Wound Repair

Porous metal–organic frameworks (MOF)-based hydrogels have recently attracted wide attention in sensing, catalysis, water treatment, and biomedicine. Yet, limited by challenges of insufficient stability, inordinate metal-ion leakage, and weak wound healing efficacy, the design of MOF-based hydrogel dressings for infected wounds has been rarely explored. Here, we propose a “one-nano MOF-two-functions” strategy to demonstrate the molecular engineering of a chemically stable nano MOF, which acts as both a carrier and a dynamic cross-linker, to fabricate functional composite hydrogels. The active amino groups of the MOF are employed to create dynamic networks with aldehyde-bearing alginate, ensuring excellent compatibility of the MOF with the polymer matrix and imparting effective self-healing properties to the resulting hydrogels. Simultaneously, two active ingredients, Cu nanoparticles (NPs) and curcumin, can be loaded into the nano MOF, achieving synergistic anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. Assisted by the mechanical stability and drug co-delivery in an infected full-thickness skin model, the MOF-based hydrogel can reduce the bacterial load on the wound by ∼103 times, and promote collagen deposition and angiogenesis by ∼1.5 and ∼3 times, compared with the control group. The “one-nano MOF-two-functions” design exhibits significant potential for high-performance infected wound dressings.