Preparation of an antibacterial dressing for simultaneous delivery of polyhexamethylene biguanide and platelet-rich plasma, and evaluation of the dressing's ability to promote infected skin repair

Slow wound healing caused by bacterial infection is a critical clinical challenge. Moreover, finding common preservatives that fulfill current medical requirements has proved difficult. Therefore, we designed a multifunctional wound dressing based on the hydrogen-bonded assembly of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB)/platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The hydrogels were prepared by a simple and environmentally friendly procedure by repeated freeze–thaw cycles without a chemical crosslinking agent. Characterization studies revealed the outstanding stability of these composite hydrogels. Bacteriostatic ring experiments revealed that the PHMB-containing hydrogel possessed strong antibacterial effects. The hydrogel with PRP showed low cytotoxicity and significantly stimulated the proliferation of L929 fibroblasts, according to live/dead cell staining and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)− 5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)− 2-(4-sulfophenyl)− 2 H-tetrazolium (MTS) testing results. The PVA/PHMB/PRP composite dressing reduced inflammatory response, promoted epithelization , enhanced collagen production and vascular regeneration, and restored skin appendages in vivo. These results indicate that the PVA/PHMB/PRP wound dressing is a promising biological material with synergistic antibacterial and wound-healing functions.