Biocompatible Polyphosphorylcholine Hydrogels with Inherent Antibacterial and Nonfouling Behavior Effectively Promote Skin Wound Healing

Hydrogels with inherent antibacterial activity and nonfouling behavior can not only provide better environment for skin wounds to avoid infection but also accelerate wound healing. Herein, 2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl 2-(trimethylammonio) ethyl phosphate (MPC) copolymers with epoxy groups, referred to as P(MPC-co-GMA), are designed and synthesized for preparing hydrogel wound dressing with inherent antibacterial and nonfouling properties. The P(MPC-co-GMA) hydrogel network is fabricated by a ring-opening reaction of the epoxy group with nontoxic and antibacterial cystamine under mild conditions. The hydrogel shows an appropriate swelling ratio, elastic behavior, and good cytocompatibility on L929 and RBCs. Bacteria scarcely adhered on the hydrogel surfaces, and the adhered bacteria could be killed by the hydrogels. Furthermore, curcumin (Cur) could be loaded into and released from the three-dimensional network structure of the hydrogels. P(MPC-co-GMA) hydrogel and its Cur-loaded hydrogel can accelerate wound healing of full-thickness skin injury compared to control groups. Conclusively, this polyphosphorylcholine hydrogel displays a potential application for skin wound healing on account of inherent antibacterial activity, antibacterial adhesion behavior, and drug release ability.