Zingerone nanoparticle and laponite-embedded natural gum based injectable hydrogel for fast track wound repair

Abstract

Currently, the treatment modalities for hard-to-heal deep skin wounds are limited by bacterial growth, excessive wound exudate, elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS), and extensive tissue damage. This study reports a multifunctional hydrogel composite with intrinsic antibacterial, antioxidant, and antibiofilm properties. The hydrogel is a physically crosslinked matrix with natural gums: guar gum (GG), tragacanth gum (TG), dual charged laponite nanoclay and polyethyleneimine (PEI) as a cross-linker. GG and TG are physically crosslinked and provide a moist environment through their high swelling capacity and controlled drug release properties. Laponite and PEI enhance the hydrogel's stability by crosslinking with GG and TG through electrostatic interactions and non-covalent bonding, in addition to providing intrinsic antioxidant, antibacterial and antibiofilm properties. The whole hydrogel matrix is further infused with zingerone nanoparticles (Z NPs), which exhibit potent antibacterial and antioxidant properties, further boosting its therapeutic efficacy. In vivo studies demonstrate that hydrogel significantly accelerates wound healing by promoting re-epithelialization, and the formation of apocrine glands compared to positive controls. This synergistic combination has resulted in the development of a stable, injectable nanocomposite hydrogel with superior therapeutic and bio-adhesive capabilities, making it highly suitable for integration with medical devices and providing a promising solution for effectively treating deep skin wounds and minimizing complications.