An Injectable Photo-Crosslinking Silk Hydrogel System With Biphasic Release of BTXA and 5-Fu Promotes Scarless Wound Healing

The study introduces an injectable photo-crosslinking silk hydrogel system, F@P-B-SilMA, designed to promote scarless wound healing by utilizing a biphasic release of Botulinum Toxin Type A (BTXA) and 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu). Tested on a rabbit ear hypertrophic scar model, the hydrogel demonstrated enhanced wound healing and reduced scar formation compared to controls. It features rapid UV-initiated polymerization, excellent tissue adhesion, and tunable degradation kinetics. The system mimics the extracellular matrix, providing sustained drug release, controlling inflammation, and regulating fibroblast activity. Histological analysis showed improved collagen organization and reduced fibrosis, making it a promising approach for clinical scar management and potentially improving patient compliance by reducing the need for multiple injections.