The HAP-Chl hydrogel patch demonstrates significant therapeutic potential for diabetic wound healing by combining in situ hydrogen production with bactericidal and antioxidant properties. Through effective bacterial elimination, ROS reduction, inflammation relief, and promotion of collagen deposition and angiogenesis, this sustainable hydrogen-producing biomaterial represents a novel platform for advanced wound dressing applications in diabetic patients with chronic wounds.
Plain-Language Summary
Researchers created a special gel patch for diabetic wound care that contains living algae (Chlorella) capable of producing hydrogen gas. The patch was designed to fight bacteria and reduce harmful molecules called free radicals (oxidative stress) that slow wound healing. In laboratory and animal wound studies, the patch successfully killed bacteria, reduced inflammation, and promoted the growth of new tissue and blood vessels needed for healing.
Abstract
Infection and oxidative stress seriously hinder the healing of diabetic wounds, resulting in various serious health and clinical problems. Herein, a sustainable biological hydrogen (H2)-producing hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel patch (HAP-Chl) was constructed by loading an imidazolium-based poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) flocculated live Chlorella as a diabetic wound dressing. The PIL can flocculate Chlorella through electrostatic interactions between PIL and Chlorella to form Chlorella agglomerates, endowing the Chlorella in the central agglomerates with the ability to continuously produce H2 for 24 h under mild conditions. Combining the membrane disruption-related bactericidal mechanism of PIL and the antioxidant properties of the produced H2, HAP-Chl was determined to be antibacterial and antioxidant. In addition to exhibiting biocompatible and nontoxic activities, subsequent Staphylococcus aureus-infected chronic wound studies revealed that HAP-Chl is capable of promoting the healing of chronic wounds by effectively killing bacteria, reducing extensive ROS, relieving inflammation, and promoting the deposition of mature collagen and angiogenesis. This study provides a new strategy for constructing an in situ sustainable H2-producing hydrogel, enabling the formation of novel antibacterial and antioxidant material platforms with potential for wound dressing applications.
