Poly(thioctic acid) Hydrogels Integrated with Self-Healing, Bioadhesion, Antioxidation, and Antibiosis for Infected Wound Treatment

Abstract

Bacterial infections pose significant challenges in wound healing and are a serious threat to human health. Hydrogels have emerged as an ideal wound dressing due to their three-dimensional network, which facilitates exudate absorption and maintains a moist environment conducive to healing. Herein, we developed integrated hydrogels composed of poly(thioctic acid) (PTA), polydopamine (PDA), and curcumin (Cur). The formation of covalent and hydrogen bonds among PTA, PDA, and Cur endowed the hydrogels with excellent self-healing and bioadhesion properties. These hydrogels were utilized as dressings for healing Staphylococcus aureus-infected wounds. The PDA–PTA–Cur 16 hydrogel showed the best overall performance in stability, bioadhesion, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial effectiveness. The in vivo results revealed that the PDA–PTA–Cur 16 hydrogel accelerated infected wound healing by inhibiting bacterial growth, alleviating inflammation, promoting collagen deposition, and inducing angiogenesis. This multifunctional hydrogel not only enhances wound healing but also presents a promising strategy for combating bacterial infections in clinical settings.