An ionic liquid functionalized sericin hydrogel for drug-resistant bacteria-infected diabetic wound healing

Diabetic wound healing is often complicated due to bacterial infections that intensify inflammation. Employing hydrogel dressings with inherent antibacterial properties can significantly reduce reliance on antibiotics for treating infected wounds in diabetics. Traditional hydrogels typically rely on the infiltration of bacteria into their porous structure to manifest antibacterial effects. However, this infiltration process is not only prolonged but can also exacerbate inflammation, further delaying the healing of the wound. Thus, promptly capturing and eliminating bacteria is crucial for enhancing the antibacterial efficiency of the hydrogel. In this context, we present a multifunctional hydrogel dressing, termed SIP, designed to tackle drug-resistant bacterial infections in diabetic wounds. This dressing integrates ionic liquid functional groups into a sericin-based matrix: phenylboronic acid for the immobilization of bacteria and imidazole for their subsequent annihilation. Expectedly, the SIP system demonstrates potent antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, verified through in vitro and in vivo experiments. As a result, SIP emerges as a promising candidate in the realm of hydrogel dressings with innate antibacterial properties, showcasing considerable potential for addressing diabetic wounds plagued by drug-resistant bacterial infections.