Using halofuginone–silver thermosensitive nanohydrogels with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties for healing wounds infected with Staphylococcus aureus

• Published in: Life sciences (1973) 2024-02, Vol.339, p.122414-122414, Article 122414
• Main Authors: Zuo, Ru-nan, Gong, Jia-hao, Gao, Xiu-ge, Huang, Jin-hu, Zhang, Jun-ren, Jiang, Shan-xiang, Guo, Da-wei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-inflammatory; Antibacterial; Halofuginone; Silver; Thermosensitive nanohydrogels; Wound healing
• ISSN: 0024-3205; 1879-0631
• DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122414

Contamination by pathogens, such as bacteria, can irritate a wound and prevent its healing, which may affect the physical fitness of the infected person. As such, the development of more novel nano-biomaterials able to cope with the inflammatory reaction to bacterial infection during the wound healing process to accelerate wound healing is required. Herein, a halofuginone‑silver nano thermosensitive hydrogel (HTPM&AgNPs-gel) was prepared via a physical swelling method. HTPM&AgNPs-gel was characterized based on thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, morphology, injectability, and rheological mechanics that reflected its exemplary nature. Moreover, HTPM&AgNPs-gel was further tested for its ability to facilitate healing of skin fibroblasts and exert antibacterial activity. Finally, HTPM&AgNPs-gel was tested for its capacity to accelerate general wound healing and treat bacterially induced wound damage. HTPM&AgNPs-gel appeared spherical under a transmission electron microscope and showed a grid structure under a scanning electron microscope. Additionally, HTPM&AgNPs-gel demonstrated excellent properties, including injectability, temperature-dependent swelling behavior, low loss at high temperatures, and appropriate rheological properties. Further, HTPM&AgNPs-gel was found to effectively promote healing of skin fibroblasts and inhibit the proliferation of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. An evaluation of the wound healing efficacy demonstrated that HTPM&AgNPs-gel had a more pronounced ability to facilitate wound repair and antibacterial effects than HTPM-gel or AgNPs-gel alone, and exhibited ideal biocompatibility. Notably, HTPM&AgNPs-gel also inhibited inflammatory responses in the healing process. HTPM&AgNPs-gel exhibited antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and scar repair features, which remarkably promoted wound healing. These findings indicated that HTPM&AgNPs-gel holds great clinical potential as a promising and valuable wound healing treatment. [Display omitted] •Halofuginone‑silver thermosensitive nanohydrogels (HTPM&AgNPs-gel) had excellent properties, including injectable, thermosensitive, favorable hemocompatibility, and a slow-release.•HTPM&AgNPs-gel exhibited excellent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties with scar removal compared with commercial thermosensitive nanohydrogels.•HTPM&AgNPs-gel effectively contributes to the wound-repair process and is a potential candidate bioactive wound dressing that may