The Effect of Multifunctional Wet Adhesive Hydrogels on the Repair of Full-Thickness Oral Mucosal Defects

Patients’ quality of life is severely compromised by full-thickness oral mucosal abnormalities, and traditional treatment approaches are severely hampered by the dynamic wet environment and tissue heterogeneity. Hydrogels have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in promoting skin wound repair; however, their ability to adhere effectively and sustain functionality within the oral cavity remains inadequate. This work used hyaluronic acid (HA), 3-aminophenylboronic acid (3-APBA), tannic acid (TA), and deferoxamine (DFO) as major components to create a multifunctional hydrogel called HPTA@DFO (abbreviated as HTD), which was inspired by the wet adhesion mechanism of marine mussels. This system was created using dynamic covalent cross-linking (Schiff base and borate ester linkages), which gave it tissue-conformable adhesive qualities, injectability, and the ability to heal itself. The antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pro-angiogenic properties of the HTD hydrogel were confirmed by experimental data. In a rat model of full-thickness oral mucosal defects, the HTD hydrogel effectively promoted wound healing and tissue regeneration, demonstrating good biocompatibility. This work offers an innovative design approach and experimental basis for creating intelligent dressings appropriate for the intricate oral environment.