Immunomodulatory melanin@Pt nanoparticle-reinforced adhesive hydrogels for healing diabetic oral ulcers

Oral ulcers may be addressed with various biomaterials infused with medications or cytokines. However, many patients derive little advantage from these substances due to inadequate adhesion, brief retention in the mouth, and diminished drug effectiveness. Here, we introduce a hydrogel patch (MPG3) consisting of a biopolymer matrix with light-activated adhesion features infused with platinum-decorated melanin nanoparticles that possess healing-promoting abilities. Initially, through straightforward local application, an adhesive hydrogel barrier forms over mucosal imperfections upon exposure to ultraviolet light. Following this, MPG3 exhibits outstanding oxygen production and reactive oxygen species elimination properties. These capabilities contribute to regulating the wound microenvironment, thereby expediting the wound's transition from the inflammatory to the proliferative stage. In rat models of oral ulcers, the MPG3 patch hastens recovery by modulating the inflammatory milieu of the damaged tissue and fostering expedited re-epithelialization and blood vessel formation. Conclusively, this light-activated adhesive hydrogel shows promise for swift wound healing and could revolutionize therapeutic approaches for treating clinical oral ulcers, especially in diabetic patients.