Antimicrobial self-healing injectable hydrogels based on chitosan, collagen, and polyvinyl alcohol for chronic wound treatment

Abstract Chronic wounds stand as a significant challenge to public health due to their high prevalence and complications, such as difficult-to-treat infections. The present study focuses on developing antimicrobial self-healing injectable hydrogels composed of chitosan (CS), collagen (CG), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) for the noninvasive treatment of chronic wounds with complex geometries. The hydrogels were synthesized through physical crosslinking via hydrogen bonds and ionic interactions, achieved through the freeze–thaw method and pH variations, resulting in materials with dynamic bonds. This feature endowed hydrogels with self-healing capability, allowing injection, adaptation to wound shapes, and recovery of properties after application. The hydrogels exhibited a vapor transmission rate of around 2500–3500 g m −2 d −1 , a pH range of 5.2–6.2, 40%–110% swelling, and degradation occurring within 4–48 h, which are within ranges known to support wound regeneration. Rheological analysis revealed viscoelastic and pseudoplastic behavior, and a self-healing capacity of up to 83% after deformation. Hydrogels also presented injection forces below 40 N, ensuring ease of handling. Additionally, hydrogels presented suitable blood compatibility and strong antimicrobial properties, achieving over 99% inhibition against microorganisms commonly associated with chronic wounds. Finally, all hydrogels demonstrate low irritability in the primary skin irritation assay, increased skin moisture, and decreased skin temperature, which are features that could support the wound healing process. These results highlight the potential of these materials for chronic wound treatment, offering a unique combination of natural polymer composition, injectability, self-healing, antimicrobial properties, skin-moisturizing effect, and low irritation potential.