Green Tea Carbon Dots-Based Electrically Active Hydrogel Dressing for Promoting Wound Healing

Abstract

Currently, searching for safer and more effective approaches to promote skin wound healing and tissue regeneration is a significant research focus in the field of public health. Eliminating excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and using electrically active dressings to accelerate wound healing has gained significant attention. Herein, green tea-based carbon dots (GCDs) are synthesized from leaves of green tea and proven to possess strong antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Then, GCDs, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) are successfully constructed into a multifunctional conductive PVA-PEDOT:PSS/GCDs hydrogel (PPPCD) using a repeated freeze-thaw method for promoting skin wound healing. Highly electrical conductivity is imparted by introducing PEDOT:PSS, while antioxidant and antibacterial properties are conferred by GCDs. In vitro assays demonstrated the excellent biocompatibility of the hydrogel, as well as its ability to scavenge excessive ROS and promote cell migration. Furthermore, the hydrogel not only accelerates wound healing by promoting blood vessel formation and epidermal regeneration but also alleviating excessive inflammation in vivo. Overall, the developed hydrogel dressing demonstrates promising prospects for skin wound healing and offers a new perspective for tissue engineering.