Injectable Multifunctional Hydrogels Based on Dopamine Grafted Onto Tragacanth/Carboxymethyl Chitosan/Silk Fibroin Containing Graphene Oxide@Vancomycin and Pirfenidone for Infected Wound Healing Publisher



M Babaluei MERCEDEH ; Y Mojarab YASAMIN ; F Mottaghitalab FATEMEH ; M Farokhi MEHDI
Source: Chemical Engineering Journal Published:2025

Abstract

Burn injuries are a critical public health challenge, affecting millions of people annually and resulting in high morbidity, mortality, and an economic burden. To address this issue, we synthesized a series of injectable, multifunctional hydrogel dressings to enhance the healing of MRSA-infected burn wounds. These hydrogel dressings were fabricated using a facile blending method, combining gum tragacanth (TG), carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC), and silk fibroin (SF). Dopamine (DA) was first grafted onto TG (TG@DA) to provide antioxidant, hemostatic, and bioadhesive properties. TG@DA was then blended with CMC and SF to synthesize TG@DA/CMC/SF hydrogel dressings. Simultaneously, graphene oxide (GO) was functionalized with vancomycin (Van@GO) to endow the hydrogels with conductivity and antimicrobial properties. Moreover, pirfenidone (PFD), an anti-scar agent, along with varying concentrations of Van@GO, was incorporated into the TG@DA/CMC/SF hydrogel dressings (referred to as PFD + TG@DA/CMC/SF-Van@GO). The hydrogel dressings showed favorable physicochemical characteristics, including stable mechanical properties, appropriate rheological characteristics, proper electroconductivity, swelling behavior, and controlled degradability. The hydrogels could control the release rate of PFD and vancomycin over 21 days. The released antibiotic suppressed bacterial growth for 21 days. >60% antioxidant activity was obtained from the hydrogels by grafting DA onto TG. The biocompatibility and hemocompatibility of the hydrogels were confirmed via a series of analyses, including MTT, LDH, apoptosis assays, and other relevant tests. Moreover, the concomitant use of TG@DA and Van@GO in the hydrogels could stop bleeding in a rat liver animal model. In a rat model of MRSA-infected burn wounds, increasing the concentrations of Van@GO in hydrogels provided significantly better support for wound closure, collagen fiber deposition, granulation tissue development, new blood vessel formation, reduced scar formation, and anti-inflammatory responses. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.