A thermosensitive poloxamer hydrogel with ofloxacin and cationic microparticles for antibacterial and hemostatic applications†

Abstract

Traditional hemostatic materials often fall short of meeting clinical demands in terms of both hemostasis and antibacterial efficiency. The use of cationic materials in the antibacterial and hemostatic fields has garnered significant attention. However, designing materials that effectively balance these two properties remains a critical challenge in the development of hemostatic materials. In this context, a dual-functional hydrogel (F-QMS-OX) was developed by incorporating cationic starch microparticles (QMS) and ofloxacin into a thermosensitive poloxamer hydrogel with optimized loading content. After verifying the synergistic antibacterial effect of QMS and ofloxacin, in vitro experiments demonstrated that the concentration of ofloxacin within the hydrogel played a crucial role in determining its hemostatic and antibacterial properties. Among the tested formulations, the F-QMS-OX1 hydrogel, which contained the optimal (lowest) ofloxacin loading, achieved an exceptional balance between hemostasis and antibacterial activity. The underlying mechanism was identified as the regulation of blood cell/protein–hydrogel (surface) interactions for accelerating hemostasis. Furthermore, the F-QMS-OX1 hydrogel exhibited superior hemostatic performance in a femoral-artery-injury model and on-demand removal of hydrogel from wounds due to its thermo-responsive properties. The developed dual-functional hydrogel holds significant promise for future medical applications in clinical hemostasis and anti-infection wound care.