Amorphous zinc phosphate nanoclusters loaded polycarbonate thermosensitive hydrogel: An innovative strategy for promoting wound healing

Abstract

Skin trauma is a matter of great concern for public health, emphasizing the importance of reconstructing the microenvironment at the trauma site to facilitate tissue regeneration. Therefore, the investigation of innovative wound dressings has significant research and clinical implications. In this study, we prepared a thermosensitive hydrogel based on a hydrophilic-hydrophobic-hydrophilic triblock polycarbonate polymer (PTP), and created a composite hydrogel, PTPH-AZP, by incorporating amorphous zinc phosphate (AZP) nanoclusters. We evaluated the effects of PTPH-AZP on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the ability to promote skin wound healing. According to the results, PTPH-AZP was found to promote the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of HUVECs through the sustained release of Zn²⁺ at appropriate concentrations. In vivo experiments demonstrated that in the early-mid stages of wound healing, PTPH-AZP promotes increases in Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (CD31) and α-Smooth Muscle Actin (α-SMA) content within the wound area, facilitating accelerated re-epithelialization and enhanced collagen deposition. In later healing stages, epidermal thickness in the PTPH-AZP treated group was significantly improved, aligning with surrounding intact skin with no instances of attenuated or hypertrophic scarring observed. The findings from the in vivo study suggested that PTPH-AZP may have a positive impact on vascularization and wound healing. In conclusion, this study presents a promising strategy for skin wound healing, highlighting the potential of PTPH-AZP as an effective therapeutic approach.