A Mussel-Inspired Hydrogel Loaded with Ginsenoside Rh1 for Perianal Ulcer Healing

Abstract

Perianal ulcers remain challenging to treat because of persistent moisture, high mobility, recurrent infection, and prolonged inflammation at the lesion site. Herein, we developed a mussel-inspired, paintable hydrogel dressing loaded with ginsenoside Rh1 for multifunctional perianal ulcer management. The hydrogel was constructed from dopamine, chitosan, graphene oxide (GO), and polyvinyl alcohol, forming a physically and chemically dual-crosslinked network with robust wet-tissue adhesion, shear-thinning behavior, and structural stability. Optimization of the GO content revealed that the formulation with 0.5 mg/mL GO exhibited the best overall balance of mechanical properties, drug release behavior, and biocompatibility. The hydrogel showed pH-responsive sustained release of Rh1, low hemolysis (<2.45%), good cytocompatibility, antioxidant activity, and rapid hemostatic capability. Under 808 nm near-infrared irradiation, the GO-containing hydrogel also displayed stable photothermal responsiveness and effective antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. In a rat perianal ulcer model, the Rh1-loaded hydrogel significantly accelerated wound repair, achieving a healing rate of 96.78% by day 14. Histological analyses further confirmed enhanced re-epithelialisation, collagen deposition, and tissue remodeling after treatment. These results indicate that the DA/CS/GO/PVA-Rh1 hydrogel is a promising multifunctional dressing for the treatment of difficult-to-heal perianal ulcers.