A Macroporous Hydrogel Dressing with Enhanced Antibacterial and Anti‐Inflammatory Capabilities for Accelerated Wound Healing

TLDR

The hydrogel’s antibacterial, anti‑inflammatory, and physicochemical properties suggest it could be broadly applied to bacteria‑associated wound management. The study presents a novel macroporous hydrogel dressing designed to accelerate wound healing and prevent bacteria‑associated infection. The dressing is made by cross‑linking carboxymethyl agarose chains via hydrogen bonding, with hydroxy groups complexing Ag⁺ to form a supramolecular hydrogel. In vitro and in vivo studies show the hydrogel releases Ag⁺ over time, is cytocompatible and hemocompatible, and markedly enhances antibacterial and anti‑inflammatory effects, accelerating skin regeneration, wound closure, and shortening the inflammatory phase.

Abstract

Abstract Here, a novel macroporous hydrogel dressing is presented that can accelerate wound healing and guard against bacteria‐associated wound infection. Carboxymethyl agarose (CMA) is successfully prepared from agarose. The CMA molecular chains are cross‐linked by hydrogen bonding to form a supramolecular hydrogel, and the hydroxy groups in the CMA molecules complex with Ag + to promote hydrogel formation. This hydrogel composite exhibits pH‐responsiveness and temperature‐responsiveness and releases Ag + , an antibacterial agent, over a prolonged period of time. Moreover, this hydrogel exhibits outstanding cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility. In vitro and in vivo investigations demonstrate that the hydrogel has enhanced antibacterial and anti‐inflammatory capabilities and can significantly accelerate skin tissue regeneration and wound closure. Astonishingly, the hydrogel can cause the inflammation process to occur earlier and for a shorter amount of time than in a normal process. Given its excellent antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, and physicochemical properties, the broad application of this hydrogel in bacteria‐associated wound management is anticipated.