Dual-functional ZIF-8-based hydrogel for infected skin defect repair: Combined antibacterial and inflammation-modulating effects of vancomycin and iron oxide nanoparticles

The intertwined pathology of bacterial infection and dysregulated inflammation represents a major barrier to the healing of full-thickness skin wounds. Nanocarriers such as zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) provide efficient platforms for localized and pH-dependent drug delivery. In this study, a ZIF-8 nanoparticle system co-embedded with vancomycin (Van) and iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs), termed Van-IONPs@ZIF-8, was engineered to combine antibacterial and inflammation-modulating functions. In vitro experiments demonstrated growth-inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ) and modulation of inflammatory cytokine expression in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, with TNF-α mRNA expression decreased by 67% and IL-10 mRNA expression increased by 244%. The nanocomposite was incorporated into a triple-crosslinked hydrogel matrix, and the resulting Van-IONPs@ZIF-8-Gel exhibited sustained and pH-dependent Van release under the tested conditions. In a rat full-thickness S. aureus -infected wound model, Van-IONPs@ZIF-8-Gel treatment was associated with improved wound closure, lower recoverable bacterial colony counts, attenuated inflammatory markers, and increased collagen-positive area. These findings provide proof-of-concept evidence supporting Van-IONPs@ZIF-8-Gel as an integrated antibacterial and inflammation-modulating platform for infected-wound management. Download: Download high-res image (248KB) Download: Download full-size image An engineered ZIF-8 composite hydrogel co-delivering vancomycin and iron oxide nanoparticles provides combined antibacterial and inflammation-modulating functions.