Development and optimization of a multifunctional cellulose-based hydrogel for enhanced crosslinking and tunability

Donor site wounds arise from the extraction of healthy skin for grafting to treat extensive skin loss from burns, ulcers, or trauma. These wounds often face challenges such as elevated pain, infection, and slow healing. Current treatments, like Xeroform gauze dressings, are inadequate in managing moisture and pain effectively. This study introduces a novel photocrosslinkable hydrogel dressing designed to address these issues. Using methacrylated cellulose and chitosan derivatives, we created an interpenetrating polymer network that crosslinks rapidly within 1 min. With a methacrylation degree of around 30 %, the hydrogel's mechanical properties, swelling ratio, and rheological characteristics were optimized by adjusting the cellulose concentration. The optimal hydrogel demonstrated excellent hemocompatibility and no toxicity towards 3T3 fibroblast cells. Compared to a commercial dressing (Jelonet), it exhibited better antimicrobial properties without containing any antimicrobial agents and demonstrated remarkable antifouling properties against E. coli, preventing biofilm formation. This advanced hydrogel offers enhanced moisture control and potential for pain management, providing a promising solution for improved donor site wound care.