Synergistic Antioxidant-Antimicrobial-Immunomodulatory Self-Healing 'Radical Sponge' Hydrogel for Diabetic Wound Regeneration via Microenvironment Reprogramming Mediated by Coordinated MAPK Suppression and PI3K-AKT Activation
March 2026
in “
Chemical Engineering Journal
”
hydrogel dopamine-modified oxidized sodium alginate carboxymethyl chitosan cystamine dihydrochloride basic fibroblast growth factor bFGF reactive oxygen species reactive nitrogen species fibroblast vascular cell epithelialization hair follicle regeneration collagen deposition vascular reconstruction sodium alginate chitosan fibroblast growth factor ROS RNS
TLDR The hydrogel helps heal diabetic wounds by combining antibacterial, antioxidant, and immune-boosting effects.
This study presents the development of a multifunctional self-healing hydrogel, termed "radical sponge" (B@DOCY), designed for diabetic wound regeneration. The hydrogel integrates dopamine-modified oxidized sodium alginate, carboxymethyl chitosan, cystamine dihydrochloride, and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) through dynamic covalent and non-covalent interactions. It exhibits strong tissue adhesion, electroactivity, and conductivity, alongside potent antioxidant activity with over 95% reactive oxygen and nitrogen species scavenging. The hydrogel demonstrated significant antibacterial efficacy, immunomodulatory potential, and enhanced fibroblast and vascular cell functions. In a diabetic wound model, it promoted epithelialization, hair follicle regeneration, collagen deposition, and vascular reconstruction, offering a comprehensive solution for diabetic wound management by integrating antibacterial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory actions with sustained bFGF release.
