MOF-Integrated Self-Healing Schiff Base Hydrogel for Antibacterial and Antioxidant Wound Treatment

Chronic wound healing disorders are closely associated with microenvironmental imbalance, while traditional dressings fail to meet dynamic therapeutic demands due to limited functionality, poor responsiveness, and lack of controlled drug release. In this study, a smart hydrogel dressing was developed by integrating curcumin/Cu2+ co-loaded UiO-66-NH2 metal–organic frameworks into a dynamically cross-linked oxidized hyaluronic acid/carboxymethyl chitosan (OHA-CMCS) network via Schiff base bonding. The MOFs served as a “one-carrier-dual-function” platform, enabling simultaneous delivery of Cu2+ and curcumin. The resulting Cur/Cu-MOF@OHA-CMCS hydrogel exhibited a porous structure, excellent self-healing ability, injectability, and favorable rheological and mechanical properties. Additionally, it showed pH-responsive degradation behavior and sustained drug release (~71% within 7 days). The hydrogel demonstrated effective anti-bacterial activity against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, along with good cytocompatibility (>70% cell viability). These results highlight its potential as a multifunctional and responsive dressing for chronic wound management.