Oxidized Dextran/Chitosan Hydrogel Engineered with Tetrasulfide‐Bridged Silica Nanoparticles for Postsurgical Treatment

Abstract

AbstractTumor recurrence and wound microbial infection after tumor excision are serious threats to patients. Thus, the strategy to supply a sufficient and sustained release of cancer drugs and simultaneously engineer antibacterial properties and satisfactory mechanical strength is highly desired for tumor postsurgical treatment. Herein, A novel double‐sensitive composite hydrogel embedded with tetrasulfide‐bridged mesoporous silica (4S‐MSNs) is developed. The incorporation of 4S‐MSNs into oxidized dextran/chitosan hydrogel network, not only enhances the mechanical properties of hydrogels, but also can increase the specificity of drug with dual pH/redox sensitivity, thereby allowing more efficient and safer therapy. Besides, 4S‐MSNs hydrogel preserves the favorable physicochemical properties of polysaccharide hydrogel, such as high hydrophilicity, satisfactory antibacterial activity, and excellent biocompatibility. Thus, the prepared 4S‐MSNs hydrogel can be served as an efficient strategy for postsurgical bacterial infection and inhibition of tumor recurrence.