Dual-action hydrogel wound dressing for advanced wound care: Antibiotic-free microbial defense and exceptional mechanical resilience

Microbial invasion can hinder skin injury healing. Prolonged antibiotic use may not suit allergic patients and raises antibiotic resistance concerns. Here, we report a dual-action hydrogel wound dressing (DAHWD) that includes resistance to bending and compression fractures and prevention of microbial invasion to promote healing without antibiotics. This innovative dressing integrates ε-poly-L-lysine (EPL) into a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) hydrogel. We examine the impact of adding EPL to the CMC hydrogel, finding that simultaneous chemical and physical crosslinking enhances the DAHWD, resulting in improved resistance to fractures by bending and compressive deformation compared to the hydrogel with only chemical crosslinking. The EPL-modified hydrogel exhibits exceptional antimicrobial properties and biofilm inhibition comparable to commercial silver dressings. In vitro analyses confirm the DAHWD’s biocompatibility and fibroblast migration promotion, while in vivo assessments highlight its effectiveness in preventing microbial infection and facilitating wound healing. This study underscores the DAHWD’s potential as an antibiotic-free solution for advanced wound care.