ROS-Responsive Hydrogel Loaded with Sodium Tanshinone IIA Sulfonate and Salvianolic Acid B: Preparation, Characterization, Its Biological Effects on Scar Fibroblasts and Anti-Scar Efficacy Study

In order to construct a reactive oxygen species (ROS) hydrogel loaded with Sodium Tanshinone IIA Sulfonate (STS) and Salvianolic Acid B (SAB) and to study its biological effects on scar fibroblasts and anti-scar efficacy, a ROS-responsive hydrogel (HA-PBA-PVA@STS/SAB) was prepared by combining hyaluronic acid (HA), phenylboronic acid (PBA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The ROS-responsive drug release behavior of the hydrogels was examined, and cell proliferation activity was determined using the CCK-8 method. Cell migration capability was analyzed through scratch assays and Transwell invasion assays, while flow cytometry was employed to quantify apoptosis rates. The intracellular ROS levels were measured. Gene expressions of NOX4, COL-I, COL-III, and p38 were detected via qRT-PCR, with Western blot analysis confirming the expression levels of NOX4 and p38 proteins. Finally, the in vivo anti-scar efficacy of the hydrogel was evaluated. The results showed that HA-PBA-PVA@STS/SAB hydrogels exhibited responsive drug release characteristics to ROS. Compared with the model group, the ROS content in scar fibroblasts was significantly reduced ( p <0.001), the cell proliferation, migration and invasion ability were significantly decreased, and the apoptosis rate was significantly increased ( p <0.001). In addition, the expression levels of NOX4 and p38 proteins in cells were also significantly reduced ( p <0.05). The in vivo pharmacodynamic study demonstrated that, compared to the model group, the HA-PBA-PVA@STS/SAB hydrogel significantly reduced scar thickness, decreased the number of fibroblasts and collagen fibers, and downregulated the expression levels of COL-I and α-SMA proteins ( p <0.05). These findings demonstrate that the HA-PBA-PVA@STS/SAB hydrogel possesses remarkable ROS-responsive drug release capability, anti-scar efficacy, and promising potential for scar treatment.