Multifunctional Regeneration Silicon-Loaded Chitosan Hydrogels for MRSA-Infected Diabetic Wound Healing

Repeated microbial infection, excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, cell dysfunction, and impaired angiogenesis under hyperglycemia severely inhibit diabetic wound healing. Therefore, developing multifunctional wound dressings accommodating the complex microenvironment of diabetic wounds is of great significance. Here, a multifunctional hydrogel (Regesi-CS) is prepared by loading regeneration silicon (Regesi) in the non-crosslinked chitosan (CS) solution, followed with freeze-drying and hydration. As expected, the blank non-crosslinked CS hydrogel (1%) shows great antibacterial activity against E. coli , S. aureus , and MRSA, improves fibroblasts migration, and scavenges intracellular ROS. Interestingly, after loading 1% Regesi, the Regesi-CS (1%-1%) hydrogel shows greater antibacterial activity, significantly promotes fibroblasts proliferation and migration, scavenges much more ROS, and substantially protects fibroblasts under oxidative stress, yet Regesi alone has no or even negative effects. In the MRSA-infected diabetic wound model, Regesi-CS (1%-1%) hydrogel effectively promotes wound healing via eliminating bacterial infection, enhancing granulation tissue formation, promoting collagen deposition, and improving angiogenesis. In conclusion, Regesi-CS hydrogel may be a potential wound dressing for effective treatment and management of chronic diabetic wounds. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved