Reduced polydopamine nanoparticles incorporated oxidized dextran/chitosan hybrid hydrogels with enhanced antioxidative and antibacterial properties for accelerated wound healing

Hydrogels with antioxidative and antibacterial properties have emerged as potential dressings for accelerated wound healing. Herein, a series of reduced polydopamine nanoparticles (rPDA NPs) incorporated oxidized dextran/chitosan hybrid hydrogels have been designed for wound healing due to their excellent antioxidative property and antibacterial activity. The physicochemical properties as well as the antioxidative activities of the hydrogels were carefully characterized. The results demonstrated rPDA NPs have better antioxidative activity than the untreated PDA NPs. And the rPDA NPs incorporated oxidized dextran/chitosan hybrid hydrogels had excellent antioxidative properties to protect cells against external oxidative stress. Besides, the hydrogels also showed antibacterial ability to protect the wound against infections. In vitro and in vivo investigations concluded that rPDA NPs incorporated oxidized dextran/chitosan hybrid hydrogels could be served as an effective dressing for accelerated wound healing.