Wound microenvironment‐responsive peptide hydrogel with multifunctionalities for accelerating wound healing

Abstract

The fabrication of wound microenvironment‐responsive peptide hydrogels with hemostatic ability, antibacterial activity, and wound healing potential remains a challenge. Herein, we constructed a multifunctional dressing by inducing the self‐assembly of a peptide (Pep‐1) and water‐soluble new methylene blue (NMB) through electrostatic interaction. The self‐assembly mechanism was demonstrated using a combination of transmission electron microscopy, circular dichroism spectrum, fluorescence spectrum, Zeta potential, and rheological analysis. The Pep‐1/NMB hydrogel also exhibited a faster drug release rate in wound acidic environment. Furthermore, when Pep‐1/NMB was exposed to a 635 nm laser, its antibacterial ratios increased sharply to 95.3%, indicating remarkably improved antibacterial effects. The findings from the blood coagulation and hemostasis assay indicated that Pep‐1/NMB effectively enhanced the speed of blood clotting in vitro and efficiently controlled hemorrhage in a mouse liver hemorrhage model. Meanwhile, hemolytic and cytotoxicity evaluation revealed that the hydrogel had excellent hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility. Finally, the findings from the wound healing studies and H&E staining indicated that the Pep‐1/NMB hydrogel had a significant impact on cell migration and wound repair. The results indicated that wound microenvironment‐responsive Pep‐1/NMB hydrogel had significant potential as a highly effective wound dressing platform, offering rapid hemostasis, antibacterial, and wound healing acceleration properties.