Aug 2026· International Journal of Biological Macromolecules· pp.
154158
· 0 citations· 45 references
Medicine
TL;DR
A robust, scalable platform for multifunctional conductive hydrogels based on a renewable biomacromolecule, offering a promising strategy for chronic wound management and establishing a robust, scalable platform for multifunctional conductive hydrogels based on a renewable biomacromolecule.
Abstract
Hydrogel wound dressings have evolved from passive moisture barriers into intelligent platforms integrating multiple therapeutic functions. However, reconciling electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, and biocompatibility remains challenging. Herein, we develop a high-strength electroactive hydrogel centered on the biomacromolecule lignosulfonate (LS), which is rich in functional groups for physical crosslinking and bioactivity, serves as the structural backbone of a primary network with poly(vinyl alcohol). Tannic acid (TA) is then anchored into this network via hydrogen bonding, followed by chelation of Cu2+ through TA's ortho-phenolic groups.The resulting hydrogel exhibits an elongation at break of 734%, a swelling ratio of 223%, and a high ionic conductivity of 0.427 S m-1-surpassing most previously reported metal-ion-conductive hydrogels. It also shows 99% DPPH radical scavenging activity. The TA-chelated Cu2+ ensures stable conductivity with negligible Cu2+ release (cumulative 0.605 ppm over 7 days, below the reported cytotoxic threshold), and confers >99% antibacterial rates against E. coli and S. aureus, while maintaining excellent cytocompatibility (>85% cell viability). In a murine full-thickness skin defect model, the conductive hydrogel combined with exogenous electrical stimulation dramatically accelerates wound closure, achieving a healing rate of 96.5% by day 18-markedly higher than the non-stimulated group (90.2%) and the untreated control (74.5%). Histological analysis further confirmed enhanced re-epithelialization and collagen deposition in the stimulated group, indicating improved tissue regeneration. This work establishes a robust, scalable platform for multifunctional conductive hydrogels based on a renewable biomacromolecule, offering a promising strategy for chronic wound management.
Conductive hydrogels based on natural products are promising for wearable sensors owing to their low cost and good biocompatibility, but typically suffer from poor mechanical strength, limited environmental stability, insufficient antibacterial activity, single functionality, and poor electrical conductivity. Here, we develop a conductive nanocomposite hydrogel (CAT2T1.2L0.1) featuring trehalose as a natural cryoprotectant-a key design element of our system-along with tannic acid-coated tunicate cellulose nanocrystals (TA@TCNCs) as nano-reinforcements incorporated into a chitosan/acrylic acid network followed by LiCl immersion. The hydrogel integrates dynamic hydrogen bonds, lithium bonds, and Schiff base bonds, achieving high tensile strength (132.4 kPa) and ultrahigh elongation (3996.6%). Trehalose and LiCl synergistically suppress ice crystal formation and water evaporation, enabling stable flexibility and conductivity (4.81-5.0 S/m) from -30 °C to 60 °C. The hydrogel exhibits rapid self-healing (97.1% strain recovery within 12 h), broad-spectrum antibacterial activity (>94% kill rate), and excellent biocompatibility (cell viability 168.5%). As a wearable strain sensor, it enables wireless human motion monitoring and a deep learning-based handwriting recognition system with 93.4% accuracy, demonstrating great potential for extreme-environment flexible electronics.
Yi-Lan Cui, Xin Fu, Chang-Chun Li et al.· International Journal of Bio...· 0 citations
The integration of electroresponsive materials, natural bioactive constituents, and electrical stimulation provides a promising multifunctional platform for electrically assisted wound management.
Zhong-Xiang Tang, Bin Wu, Ying-Jia Shi et al.· Polymer Bulletin· 0 citations
It is demonstrated that the catechol-nanocellulose/chitosan polymeric hydrogel effectively overcomes adhesion, infection, and oxidative stress barriers in diabetic wound healing, making it a promising candidate for difficult-to-heal chronic ulcers.
TFe@SC hydrogel possesses some properties of antimicrobial dressings, such as high biosafety, adhesion to bacteria, and inhibition of bacterial proliferation with photothermal therapy (PTT).
Chenhui Ji, Zhongzhong Lu, Pengfei Chen et al.· International Journal of Bio...· 0 citations
Diabetic wounds remain difficult to treat due to bacterial resistance, a localized weakly acidic microenvironment, imbalanced oxidative stress, and poor dressing conformity. To address these challenges, this study developed an injectable pH-responsive nanocomposite hydrogel using phenylboronic acid-modified chitosan (PBCS), tannic acid (TA), and porphyrinic metal–organic framework PCN-224 nanoparticles, featuring with superior tissue adhesiveness, self-healing, and pH-responsiveness. The hydrogel was fabricated using PBCS as the matrix and TA as the cross-linker, establishing a dual-cross-linked network sustained by dynamic boronate ester bonds and multiple hydrogen bonds, into which the porphyrinic metal–organic framework (MOF) PCN-224 was subsequently loaded. This hydrogel precisely senses and exploits the endogenous weakly acidic microenvironment of the infected wound, triggering the dissociation of boronate ester bonds to achieve the on-demand release of TA, as well as the smart regulation of the network’s swelling behavior. The synchronously released polyphenol component, TA, imparts excellent antioxidant activity to scavenge excess free radicals and re-establish oxidative stress balance. Meanwhile, under 660 nm laser irradiation, PCN-224 generated reactive oxygen species and a mild photothermal effect, enabling combined photodynamic and photothermal antibacterial activity. Collectively, the PBCS-TA/PCN-224 nanocomposite hydrogel integrates pH-responsive behavior, antioxidant activity, and light-triggered antibacterial functionality, supporting its potential application in infected diabetic wounds.
Jia-Yun Wang, He-Rui Yan, Fang-Ying Li et al.· ACS Applied Nano Materials· 0 citations
Polyacrylic acid-based composites hold substantial promise for intelligent wound dressing applications, owing to their intrinsic hydrophilicity and pH responsiveness. Nevertheless, their clinical translation is hindered by insufficient mechanical properties and excessive adhesion, which are directly induced by high hydrophilicity. Herein, a dual-network Janus hydrogel based on polyacrylic acid (PAA) and sodium alginate (SA), denoted as tannic acid-iron nanoparticles@polyacrylic acid/sodium alginate (TA-Fe NPs@PS Janus), was rationally fabricated. This hydrogel incorporates self-assembled TA-Fe nanoparticles (TA-Fe NPs) with inherent antibacterial activity and magnetic responsiveness. Magnetic enrichment of nanoparticles at the bottom side of the hydrogel not only significantly enhances mechanical toughness via metal-phenolic network (MPN) but also renders the top and bottom layers with distinct intelligent responses to heterogeneous pH microenvironments, thus enabling effective antibiotic-free treatment of infected wounds. TA-Fe NPs@PS Janus integrates high mechanical toughness, sensing performance, and pH responsiveness, enabling monitoring of wound microenvironmental changes through combined responses to pH and ionic variations throughout the recovery process. The physicochemical, mechanical, and rheological properties of the hydrogel were systematically characterized, and in vitro antibacterial assessments were conducted. Results demonstrate that TA-Fe NPs significantly enhance hydrogel toughness: compared with the pristine PAA/SA hydrogel (PS), the composite hydrogel incorporating 0.3% (w/v) TA-Fe NPs exhibits a 1200% increase in tensile toughness (from 0.06 MJ m⁻³ to 0.78 MJ m⁻³). The hydrogel displays high sensitivity and undergoes reversible deformation and intelligent responsive behavior under cyclic pH changes. It not only exhibits high antibacterial efficacy but also demonstrates favorable cytocompatibility. Therefore, this study proposes a smart, stimuli-responsive multifunctional hydrogel dressing for treating chronic wound inflammation and monitoring the healing process, highlighting its potential for clinical applications. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Chronic infected wounds severely threaten human health, yet clinically viable smart wound dressings are lacking. Polyacrylic acid (PAA) hydrogels are attractive for wound management but suffer from poor mechanical toughness and over-adhesion. We fabricate a dual-network Janus hydrogel (TA-Fe NPs@PS Janus) incorporating PAA, sodium alginate and tannic acid-iron nanoparticles. Magnetically concentrated TA-Fe NPs form metal-phenolic networks, boosting toughness by 1044.2% and creating asymmetric pH responsiveness. This cytocompatible hydrogel achieves antibiotic-free antibacterial function and real-time infection monitoring via pH changes. It overcomes key drawbacks of PAA hydrogels, integrates diagnosis and therapy, and offers a translatable strategy for intelligent chronic wound dressings.
Qing-Che Pan, Xin-Wei Tao, Jianliang Li et al.· Acta Biomaterialia· 0 citations
We use cookies to run the site and, with your consent, for analytics and to show ads.
See our Cookie Policy.
