Multifunctional polydopamine/hemin-cyclodextrin reinforced chitosan nanocomposite hydrogel: A synergistic platform for wound healing

Chronic cutaneous wounds present a significant challenge for healthcare providers globally, with the risk of bacterial infections emerging as a particularly concerning issue. There is an increasing need to employ a combination of diverse antibacterial strategies to address infections comprehensively in chronic wounds. This study introduces a highly efficient antibacterial platform that encapsulates the NO precursor (BNN6) into β-cyclodextrin-modified hemin-bearing polydopamine nanoparticles called NO/CHPDA. These nanoparticles are seamlessly integrated into a hydrogel composite comprised of L-arginine grafted chitosan (Arg-CS) and oxide dextrans (oDex). The amalgamation of photothermal therapy (PTT), chemodynamic therapy (CDT), and nitric oxide (NO) antibacterial strategies within the NO/CHPDA@Arg-CS/oDex nanocomposite hydrogel demonstrates a synergistic and highly effective capacity to eradicate bacteria and accelerate the wound healing process in vivo . Remarkably, this nanocomposite hydrogel maintains excellent biocompatibility and induces minimal side effects. The resulting nanocomposite hydrogel represents a promising therapeutic solution for treating bacterial infections in wound healing applications.