Multifunctional Nanocomposite Hydrogel Dressings with Excellent Antibacterial and Angiogenesis Properties for Effective Treatment of Diabetic Wounds

Abstract

Diabetic wounds are challenging due to delayed healing, often exacerbated by inflammation, impaired angiogenesis, and bacterial infections. Current therapies, such as surgery and conventional dressings, fail to address the multifactorial nature of these wounds. This study introduces a novel hydrogel dressing, OCPH, integrating platelet-rich plasma, chitosan (CS)-modified nanosilver-loaded phloretin polyphosphazene nanoparticles (HPA@CS), and a hydrogel matrix formed via Schiff base bonding between aldehyde-modified sodium alginate (OSA) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS). OCPH exhibits excellent injectability, self-healing properties, and pH-responsive degradation, enabling the controlled release of bioactive components in response to the wound microenvironment. In vitro studies demonstrate that OCPH effectively regulates pH to mitigate inflammation and promote healing, while its controlled release of PRP-derived growth factors enhances cell migration and angiogenesis. The incorporation of HPA@CS provides sustained delivery of silver ions and phloretin, ensuring robust antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. In vivo testing on MRSA-infected wounds in diabetic rats shows exceptional therapeutic efficacy, achieving 99.99% bacterial clearance by day 3 and 79.12% ± 10.67 wound closure by day 9, significantly outperforming conventional treatments. OCPH represents a cost-effective, painless, and sustainable solution for diabetic wound management, offering comprehensive antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and pro-angiogenic effects.

Keywords: Angiogenesis; Antibacterial; Diabetic wound healing; Nanocomposite hydrogels; Platelet-rich plasma.