Abstract
Background
Within the clinical realm, the complexities of wound healing have consistently presented formidable challenges. Recent advancements, notably in hydrogel technologies, have broadened the therapeutic spectrum. This study focuses on introducing a novel dual pH-responsive composite hydrogel for wound healing. This hydrogel is ingeniously designed to maintain an optimal moist environment, expedite healing, and combat bacterial infection during wound recovery.
Methods
This study presents a new polysaccharide hydrogel formulation, combining carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC), oxidized hyaluronic acid (OHA), and sodium alginate (SA) and incorporating the antibiotic tobramycin (TOB) to create the antibacterial hydrogel CMC-OHA-SA-TOB. Hydrogel cross-linking was verified using infrared spectroscopy, and the microstructure was examined with scanning electron microscopy. We explored its swelling and degradation behaviors in different pH environments. The drug release profile was determined, and biocompatibility was evaluated via cytotoxicity and hemolysis assays. The hydrogel's antibacterial efficacy was tested in both solid and liquid media. Additionally, Sprague–Dawley (SD) rat wound models were employed to investigate the hydrogel's wound healing capabilities in vivo.
Results
The experimental outcomes reveal that the CMC-OHA-SA-TOB hydrogel was effectively cross-linked, forming a network structure. The hydrogel exhibited pronounced responsiveness in its swelling and degradation characteristics, significantly influenced by variations in pH levels. In vitro assessments demonstrated that the CMC-OHA-SA-TOB hydrogel exhibits limited cytotoxicity and hemolysis, coupled with a pH-responsive drug release profile. Sustained antibacterial activity of the hydrogel against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli was confirmed. Furthermore, in vivo experiments underscored the hydrogel's proficiency in promoting wound healing, highlighting its potential for clinical applications.
Conclusions
Consequently, the CMC-OHA-SA-TOB hydrogel not only fosters a moist environment essential for wound healing and enhances structural stability, but it also exhibits functional dual pH-responsive capabilities in swelling and degradation. These distinctive abilities enable the precise release of tobramycin, thereby optimizing wound healing.