Porous hydrogel of siloxane-modified polyvinyl alcohol/polydopamine containing berberine chloride, exhibiting robust antibacterial activity and promoting the healing of MRSA-infected wounds

Advanced and novel effective wound dressings that decrease wound infections are essential for clinical application. In this study, a multifunctional hydrogel was engineered based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polydopamine (PDA), and porous silica (PSi), loaded with berberine chloride (Bbn), for the treatment of MRSA-infected wounds. The PVA@PSi/PDA-Bbn hydrogel was fabricated via sol-gel and self-polymerization methods, forming a porous, adhesive, and photothermal-responsive matrix. The hydrogel demonstrated excellent swelling behavior, mechanical strength, and sustained Bbn release under NIR irradiation. The efficacy of the hydrogels was evaluated through antibacterial activity, pathological assessments, and the expression of key proteins involved in cell proliferation and wound healing. These proteins included cyclin D1, c-Myc, Max, FGF-1, β-catenin, and WNT-1, and COL1A. The physicochemical properties of the hydrogels confirmed their successful synthesis and suitability for biomedical applications. The results for swelling, rheological properties, adhesive strength, safety, and antibacterial activity confirmed the hydrogels to be appropriate. The PVA@PSi40/PAD-Bbn hydrogel could enhance the healing process through its antibacterial activity and modulation of the expressions of cyclin D1, c-Myc, Max, FGF-1, β-catenin, and COL1-A. In sum, PVA@PSi40/PAD-Bbn could compete with the mupirocin ointment® and accelerate the MRSA-wound healing process. It showed better performance than conventional treatments by providing controlled drug release, strong tissue adhesion, and effective MRSA inhibition to promote wound healing.