A dynamically cross-linked catechol-grafted chitosan/gelatin hydrogel dressing synergised with photothermal therapy and baicalin reduces wound infection and accelerates wound healing

Superior multifunctional hydrogel dressings are of considerable interest in wound healing. In clinical practice, it is useful to investigate hydrogel dressings that offer multifunctional benefits to expedite the process of wound healing. In this study, Catechol-grafted Chitosan, Gelatin, and Fe3+ as substrates to construct a hydrogel network. The network was dynamically cross-linked to form Ccg@Fe hydrogel substrate. Fe3O4 nanoparticles and baicalin, which possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, were loaded onto the substrate to form a photothermal antibacterial composite hydrogel dressing (Ccg@Fe/Bai@Fe3O4 NPs). The Ccg@Fe hydrogel was characterised using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis). The morphological, mechanical, and adhesion properties of the hydrogel were determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a universal testing machine. The hydrogel's swelling, hemostasis, and self-healing properties were also evaluated. Additionally, the study determined the release rate of hydrogel-loaded antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory Baicalin (Ccg@Fe/Bai) and evaluated the photothermal antimicrobial properties of hydrogel-loaded Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Ccg@Fe/Bai@Fe3O4 NPs) through synergistic photothermal therapy (PTT). Histological staining of mice skin wound tissues using Masson and H&E revealed that the Ccg@Fe/Bai@Fe3O4 NPs hydrogel dressing demonstrated potential healing ability with the aid of PTT. The study suggests that this multifunctional hydrogel dressing has great potential for wound healing.