Multifunctional hydrogel with synergistically enhanced efficiency for hemostasis and antibacterial activity

Uncontrolled bleeding and secondary bacterial infections are major challenges in emergency trauma care and surgery, making the development of dressings with rapid hemostatic and efficient antibacterial functions clinically significant. In this study, a multifunctional hydrogel was prepared by covalently grafting tannic acid (TA) onto chitosan (CS), cross-linking the composite with gelatin and oxidized dextran via dynamic Schiff base reaction, and introducing ε-poly-L-lysine. TA-CS interactions enhanced the structural stability and antioxidant capacity of the hydrogel. In vitro experiments confirmed its excellent hemostasis (minimum clotting index 35.54%), broad-spectrum antibacterial activity (> 98% against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus ), good biocompatibility, high swelling ratio (up to 2588%), and porous 3D structure (conducive to exudate absorption and tissue repair). Integrating multiple key functions, this hydrogel holds broad prospects in wound healing and infection control.