A dopamine-assisted antioxidative in situ-forming hydrogel with photothermal therapy for enhancing scarless burn wound healing

Burn wounds are characterized by complex physiological and pathophysiological response and the management of burn wounds is challenging. In situ-forming hydrogels and photothermal therapy (PTT) are promising treatments for wound healing. However, current research on biomaterials for burn treatment mainly focuses on either promoting healing or inhibiting scar formation, few studies have combined the two functions of one material. In this study, we prepared a multifunctional, in-situ cross-linked hydrogel termed CPOD hydrogel, which integrates carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), oxidized hyaluronic acid (OHA), and dopamine (DA), coupled with photothermal therapy (PTT). In vitro experiments showed that the CPOD hydrogel had outstanding biocompatibility, suitable tissue adhesion and mechanical properties, excellent antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. This hydrogel showed PTT properties, which could produce mild heat in the early stage and higher temperatures in the later stage under NIR radiation. In the treatment of burn wounds of mice, application of CPOD hydrogel with PTT significantly promoted wound healing in the early stage and inhibited scar formation in the later stage, showing great potential for future innovation and application.