Chitosan-based double network hydrogel loading herbal small molecule for accelerating wound healing

Skin injuries are one of the most common clinical traumas worldwide, and wound dressings are considered to be one of key factors in wound healing. Natural polymer-based hydrogels have been developed as ideal materials for a new generation of dressings due to their excellent biocompatibility and wetting ability. However, the inadequate mechanical performances and lack of efficacy in promoting wound healing have limited the application of natural polymer-based hydrogels as wound dressings. In this work, a double network hydrogel based on natural chitosan molecules was constructed to enhance the mechanical properties, and emodin, a herbal natural product, was loaded into the hydrogel to improve the healing effect of the dressing. The structure of the chitosan-emodin network formed by Schiff base reaction and microcrystalline network of biocompatible polyvinyl alcohol endowed hydrogels with excellent mechanical properties and ensured its integrity as wound dressings. Moreover, the hydrogel showed excellent wound healing properties due to the loading of emodin. The hydrogel dressing could promote cell proliferation, cell migration, and secretion of growth factors. The animal experimental results also demonstrated that the hydrogel dressing facilitated the regeneration of blood vessels and collagen and accelerated wound healing.