Antibacterial and rapidly absorbable hemostatic sponge by aldehyde modification of natural polysaccharide

Massive hemorrhage following tissue trauma has high mortality owing to the lack of timely intervention. However, research on utilizing hemostats for humans is limited; therefore, developing an efficient emergency hemostatic agent is imperative. We developed a hemostatic sponge using natural polysaccharide riclin, theoretically modified with 50% aldehyde content (AR50). The AR50 sponge, with quasi-honeycomb channels and appropriate aldehyde content, exhibits ultra-high blood absorption (59.4 g·g−1) and rapidly targets erythrocytes and platelets to form a stable barrier. It surpasses most commercial hemostats in porcine artery scission (reducing hemostasis time and blood loss by 53 s and 4.2 g), hepatic bleeding laceration (68 s and 2.6 g), and perforation models (140 s and 4.9 g). The AR50 sponge is easily removed post hemostasis, exhibits antibacterial properties by destroying bacterial cell walls, and is safely absorbed by day 5, making it an ideal emergency hemostatic agent for massive hemorrhages in humans. Hemostats are important for treating massive hemorrhages in humans but research is limited. Here, an optimal hemostatic sponge consisting of aldehyde-modified natural polysaccharide riclin shows high blood absorption capacity and rapidly targets erythrocytes and platelets at the bleeding interface.