A Customized Janus Hydrogel with Robust Bio-Adhesion and Multi-Mode Disinfection for Rapid Recovery of Multi-Drug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus-Infected Open Wounds

Abstract

Open wounds damage the integrity of the injured tissues and expose them to bacterial infections. Traditional wounds suturing often lead to the reinjuring of the damaged tissues. This delays the healing process, especially in the presence of a bacterial infection. A Janus hydrogel adhesive with bio-adhesion and multi-mode disinfection (BAMD) capabilities (a BAMD hydrogel) is developed using a spin-coating process, which can serve as an alternative to traditional sutures. The organic–inorganic hybrid combination of the Chinese-medicine organic small molecule rhein (Rhe) and graphene oxide (GO) endows the BAMD hydrogel with dual-mode antibacterial activity driven by photodynamic (PD) and photothermal (PT) effects including short-term rapid disinfection (15-min irradiation, with a 99.95% bactericidal rate) and long-term antibacterial action in the absence of light (100% bactericidal rate after 6 h of dark incubation). The in vivo results demonstrated a 97.25% bactericidal rate of the BAMD hydrogel against MRSA. Throughout the wound recovery process, the BAMD hydrogel effectively reduced inflammation and promoted tissue healing. This versatile strategy offers new insights into preventing postoperative tissue adhesion and sealing and repairing large-scale tissue damage.