Multiple-Dynamic-Bond Cross-Linked Injectable Antibacterial Hydrogel Sealants with Self-Healing for Wound Healing.

Abstract

Chronic wounds resulting from bacterial infection remain one of the main challenges in clinical practice. There is a pressing need to develop an injectable hydrogel sealant with multifunctional properties, including remodeling capabilities, self-healing, painless removal, and antibacterial activity, to promote tissue remodeling. In this work, aldehyde carboxymethylated agarose (ACMA) is employed for the first time as a bio-template. Dopamine (DA) is introduced onto the ACMA template via a reversible Schiff-base reaction, endowing it with biomineralization properties to synthesize DA-modified ACMA-Ag nanoparticles (ACMA-DA-Ag). Further, the prepared ACMA-DA-Ag, which possesses both antibacterial activity and injectable behavior, is incorporated into a guar gum hydrogel through the formation of borate/diol bonds, thereby forming a multiple-dynamic-bond crosslinked network. This hydrogel demonstrates adequate mechanical strength, injectability, remodeling capabilities, and self-healing performance. It can reassemble into a new hydrogel within 4 ± 0.6 min upon simple physical contact, and supports tissue adhesion. Furthermore, the hydrogel effectively covers irregular-shaped wound and can be removed without causing secondary injury. More importantly, this multifunctional hydrogel is cost-effective, easy to synthesize, and simple to use, significantly accelerating skin regeneration and promoting the formation of skin appendages, such as hair follicles. The outcome of this research not only serves a tissue sealant for wound healing, but also presents a new strategy for creating novel polysaccharide-based biomaterials.