Development of a Sprayable Hydrogel-Based Wound Dressing: An In Vitro Model

Abstract

Hydrogel-based dressings can effectively heal wounds by providing multiple functions, such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and preangiogenic bioactivities. The ability to spray the dressing is important for the rapid and effective coverage of the wound surface. In this study, we developed a sprayable hydrogel-based wound dressing using naturally derived materials: hyaluronic acid and gelatin. We introduced methacrylate groups (HAMA and GelMA) to these materials to enable controllable photocrosslinking and form a stable hydrogel on the wound surface. To achieve sprayability, we evaluated the concentration of GelMA within a range of 5–15% (w/v) and then incorporated 1% (w/v) HAMA. Additionally, we incorporated calcium peroxide into the hydrogel at concentrations ranging from 0 to 12 mg/mL to provide self-oxygenation and antibacterial properties. The results showed that the composite hydrogels were sprayable and could provide oxygen for up to two weeks. The released oxygen relieved metabolic stress in fibroblasts and reduced cell death under hypoxia in in vitro culture. Furthermore, calcium peroxide added antibacterial properties to the wound dressing. In conclusion, the developed sprayable hydrogel dressing has the potential to be advantageous for wound healing due to its practical and conformable application, as well as its self-oxygenating and antibacterial functions.

Infection-Free and Enhanced Wound Healing Potential of Alginate Gels Incorporating Silver and Tannylated Calcium Peroxide Nanoparticles

“…The cell viability results, evaluated after 1, 3, and 7 days of contact with fibroblast cells, revealed the best outcome for the Alg sample with 1% (w/w) calcium peroxide nanoparticles after every time of evaluation, while a decrease in the cellular viability was observed for hydrogels with higher amounts of calcium peroxide (5%). Adding CaO 2 at 8-12 mg/mL concentration within gelatin/hyaluronan matrix enabled the fabrication of sprayable hydrogel dressings with prolonged oxygen-releasing capacity (2 weeks), antibacterial properties, and an important ability to diminish the metabolic stress and reduce cell death in hypoxic fibroblasts [135]. Given their extended-release oxygen profile, CaO 2 -loaded polyester microspheres (either solitary or encapsulated within a self-polymerized peptide hydrogel) exhibited long-term beneficial effects on normal cells [136,137].…”