Catalytic Nitric Oxide-Generating Selenium Nanoparticle-Loaded Hydrogels With Anti-Inflammatory and Pro-Wound-Healing Properties.

Abstract

Nitric oxide's (NO) crucial role in various physiological processes, such as vascular regulation, inflammation, and wound healing, has led to the development of various NO delivery platforms. However, delivering NO in a controlled and sustained manner is challenging due to its short half-life of less than 5 s. To address this challenge, we synthesized polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogels loaded with selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) or polydopamine-coated selenium nanoparticles (Se@PDA NPs), which can catalytically generate NO from both endogenous and exogenous NO donors. Structural characterization confirmed that nanoparticle loading did not alter the intrinsic properties of the PAAm-gel. By adjusting the concentration of NPs loaded within the hydrogels, tunable NO generation was achieved. Both Se-gel and Se@PDA-gel exhibited sustained NO generation, with Se@PDA-gel demonstrating superior recyclability and stability, even after long-term storage under various conditions. The hydrogels exhibited excellent biocompatibility, and their biological activity was validated by elevated interleukin-10 (IL-10) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, indicating anti-inflammatory effects and potential for wound healing, respectively. These findings establish Se@PDA-gel as a promising platform for controlled and sustained NO delivery, offering therapeutic potential in wound healing and anti-inflammatory therapies, particularly for cardiovascular and infectious diseases.