High-strength chitosan-sericin cryogel with synergistically reinforced networks for hemostasis

Developing chitosan-based hemostatic cryogels with simultaneously excellent mechanical properties and good biocompatibilities is still a challenge yet crucial for hemostasis of deep tissue bleeding. Typical approaches to enhancing the mechanical properties sacrifice biocompatibility of chitosan cryogels, thereby increasing the potential application risk. In this study, we develop a chitosan-sericin-ε-polylysine (CS-Ser-EPL) cryogel with synergistically reinforced networks achieved by physical and chemical crosslinking to address the limitations. The chitosan-sericin (CS-Ser) cryogel exhibits enhanced mechanical properties, improved thermal stability, erythrocyte aggregation capability, biocompatibilities and superior hemostatic performance. The addition of ε-polylysine further improves composite cryogel antibacterial activity, accelerating the wound healing process. In tests using a liver penetrating injury model, CS-Ser-EPL outperformed commercial gelatin sponges in hemostasis. Additionally, it exhibits faster wound healing in full-thickness skin defects exposed to S. aureus due to its antibacterial and angiogenic properties. Overall, the CS-Ser-EPL cryogel, with its enhanced mechanical and antibacterial properties, shows great promise for deep tissue hemostasis and wound healing.