Fabrication of In Situ Layered Hydrogel Scaffold for the Co-delivery of PGDF-BB/Chlorhexidine to Regulate Proinflammatory Cytokines, Growth Factors, and MMP-9 in a Diabetic Skin Defect Albino Rat Model

Diabetes mellitus (DM)-associated impairments in wound healing include prolonged inflammation, the overexpression of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs), and low levels of growth factors at the wound site. To this end, a layer-by-layer scaffold (S L-B-L ) made of cross-linked silk fibroin and hyaluronic acid is developed to deliver chlorhexidine, an antimicrobial agent and an MMP-9 inhibitor, along with the PDGF-BB protein. S L-B-L exhibited highly porous morphology. Diabetic rats treated with S L-B-L demonstrated an early wound closure, a fully reconstructed epithelial layer by 14 days, and reduced levels of IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β1, and MMP-9. Interestingly, S L-B-L treatment increased angiogenesis, the bioavailability of collagen, DNA content, and VEGF-A levels. Furthermore, enhanced keratinocyte–fibroblast interaction along with ordered collagen deposition was observed in S L-B-L -treated rats. Most interestingly, when compared with a clinically used scaffold SEESKIN+, S L-B-L outperformed in promoting wound healing in a diabetic rat model by regulating the inflammation while delivering growth factor and the MMP-9 inhibitor.