Multifunctional Prussian-Blue-Based Hydrogel for Photothermal Antibacterial and Infected Wound Regeneration

To address the challenges associated with prolonged inflammatory phases and delayed healing in clinically infected wounds, this research developed a multifunctional PB@GC@OD hydrogel integrating self-healing properties, injectability, and photothermal antibacterial efficacy. The hydrogel was constructed using oxidized dextran (OD) and glycol chitosan (GC) as the matrix, which were dynamically cross-linked via a Schiff-base reaction to form the GC@OD hydrogel. Subsequently, the photothermal agent prussian blue (PB) was incorporated to fabricate the PB@GC@OD hydrogel. The resulting PB@GC@OD hydrogel demonstrated robust self-healing capabilities and excellent injectability. Upon exposure to 808 nm near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, the hydrogel achieved efficient photothermal conversion, rapidly inducing localized hyperthermia that effectively eliminated Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In a mouse model of MRSA-infected wounds, the hydrogel not only maintained a moist wound microenvironment but also eradicated pathogenic bacteria via photothermal therapy, thereby significantly accelerating the healing process. Moreover, the hydrogel demonstrated favorable biocompatibility and long-term safety. Therefore, the PB@GC@OD hydrogel integrates photothermal sterilization, self-healing, injectability, hemostasis, and biocompatibility into a single platform, presenting a promising strategy for synergistic therapy and tissue regeneration in bacterially infected wounds.