A Paintable Small-Molecule Hydrogel with Antimicrobial and ROS Scavenging Activities for Burn Wound Healing

The study introduces a novel paintable small-molecule hydrogel, Nap-F3K-CA, for burn wound healing, showcasing its antimicrobial and ROS scavenging activities. The hydrogel effectively adapts to irregular wound beds, maintains moisture, and reduces inflammation, promoting skin repair, collagen deposition, vascular regeneration, and hair follicle formation. In vitro tests showed no hemolysis and a 32% reduction in bleeding, while in vivo tests in a rat burn model demonstrated an 88.17% sterilization ratio and a 95.86% healing rate by Day 21. The hydrogel outperformed commercial alternatives, showing superior antibacterial activity against MRSA and E. coli, and modulating inflammatory responses by reducing IL-6, TNF-α, and iNOS levels. Supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China, the hydrogel is a promising candidate for clinical burn wound management.