TL;DR
The integration of electroresponsive materials, natural bioactive constituents, and electrical stimulation provides a promising multifunctional platform for electrically assisted wound management.
This work presents a mechanically robust, highly efficient, and exceptionally safe light-activated platform for advanced wound dressing applications and demonstrates strict biosafety without collateral phototoxicity.
It is demonstrated that the catechol-nanocellulose/chitosan polymeric hydrogel effectively overcomes adhesion, infection, and oxidative stress barriers in diabetic wound healing, making it a promising candidate for difficult-to-heal chronic ulcers.
A pioneering near-infrared activated antibacterial EPLGA/OHADA@HMCuS hydrogel was formulated by doping hollow mesoporous copper sulfide (HMCuS) into the three-dimensional spatial network structure formed between gallic acid-modified ε-polylysine (EPL-GA) and dopamine-engineered and oxidized hyaluronic acid (OHADA) and showcased favorable biocompatibility, sustaining cellular viability.
Hydrogel wound dressings have evolved from passive moisture barriers into intelligent platforms integrating multiple therapeutic functions. However, reconciling electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, and biocompatibility remains challenging. Herein, we develop a high-strength electroactive hydrogel centered on the biomacromolecule lignosulfonate (LS), which is rich in functional groups for physical crosslinking and bioactivity, serves as the structural backbone of a primary network with poly(vinyl alcohol). Tannic acid (TA) is then anchored into this network via hydrogen bonding, followed by chelation of Cu2+ through TA's ortho-phenolic groups.The resulting hydrogel exhibits an elongation at break of 734%, a swelling ratio of 223%, and a high ionic conductivity of 0.427 S m-1-surpassing most previously reported metal-ion-conductive hydrogels. It also shows 99% DPPH radical scavenging activity. The TA-chelated Cu2+ ensures stable conductivity with negligible Cu2+ release (cumulative 0.605 ppm over 7 days, below the reported cytotoxic threshold), and confers >99% antibacterial rates against E. coli and S. aureus, while maintaining excellent cytocompatibility (>85% cell viability). In a murine full-thickness skin defect model, the conductive hydrogel combined with exogenous electrical stimulation dramatically accelerates wound closure, achieving a healing rate of 96.5% by day 18-markedly higher than the non-stimulated group (90.2%) and the untreated control (74.5%). Histological analysis further confirmed enhanced re-epithelialization and collagen deposition in the stimulated group, indicating improved tissue regeneration. This work establishes a robust, scalable platform for multifunctional conductive hydrogels based on a renewable biomacromolecule, offering a promising strategy for chronic wound management.
Findings suggest that the synthesized hydrogel (BSG‐CHI) provides a favorable microenvironment for tissue regeneration and wound management applications.
This study presents a thermosensitive Pluronic F127 (PF127) hydrogel system for sustained delivery of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP)-generated reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). Gas-liquid interfacial reactions during plasma treatment enable substantial aqueous RONS loading, yielding the plasma-activated PF127 hydrogel (PAHPF127) with potent antibacterial efficacy. Complete inactivation of 1 × 106 CFU Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was achieved at 37 °C, with bactericidal activity retained beyond 8 h at physiological temperature and 7 days at 4 °C. PAHPF127 further demonstrated biocompatibility and regenerative capacity, promoting HaCaT migration and 89% in vitro wound closure within 48 h. In a Staphylococcus aureus-infected rat wound model, PAHPF127 accelerated wound contraction, suppressed bacterial colonization, and enhanced re-epithelialization with collagen deposition. These findings establish PAHPF127 as a stable, antimicrobial, and pro-regenerative material for wound care.