Multifunctional oxidized hyaluronic acid/quaternized guar gum/polyvinylpyrrolidone hydrogel for hemostasis and infected wound management

Uncontrolled hemorrhage and bacterial infection remain critical challenges in wound management, necessitating advanced dressings that integrate rapid hemostasis, antibacterial activity, and tissue regeneration. Herein, we present a multifunctional injectable hydrogel (QGHP) composed of oxidized hyaluronic acid (OHA), quaternized guar gum (QGG), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) via dual dynamic crosslinking (Schiff base bonds and hydrogen bonds). This design imparts QGHP with rapid self-healing capability, strong tissue adhesion, shear-thinning injectability, and customizable mechanical properties. The hydrogel demonstrates exceptional fluid absorption (swelling ratio: ~1148 %) and controlled degradation. Cationic groups of QGG confer intrinsic broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, achieving >95 % inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli without antibiotics. In a rat tail amputation model, QGHP achieves rapid hemostasis (~17 s) and reduces blood loss by ~84 %. For infected wounds, QGHP accelerates closure, suppresses bacterial proliferation (~3.5 % survival), and enhances collagen deposition and re-epithelialization. The dual-network hydrogel combines injectability, bio-adhesion, and antibacterial functionality, offering a promising solution for complex wound healing.