Ferrocene-loaded glycerogel dressing for reactive oxygen species-modulated active wound healing

초록

Chronic and complex wounds remain a major clinical challenge owing to persistent oxidative stress, impaired tissue regeneration, and insufficient therapeutic efficacy of conventional wound dressings. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the wound-healing efficacy of a novel multifunctional wound dressing that integrates a mechanically robust bioadhesive glycerogel matrix with a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive drug nanocarrier. Specifically, a resilient glycerogel was obtained from a single acrylamide monomer formulation with enhanced polymer entanglement and solvent exchange capacity, inducing long-term hydration and strong tissue adhesion. Ferrocene-based polymer nanoparticles encapsulating Centella asiatica enabled ondemand antioxidant release in response to elevated ROS levels, thereby dynamically modulating the wound microenvironment. Notably, this multifunctional dressing effectively maintained a moist wound environment, promoted healing through controlled redox-triggered drug release at the wound site, and exhibited excellent cytocompatibility. Moreover, it promoted fibroblast proliferation and migration as well as ROS scavenging in vitro. Additionally, this dressing accelerated wound closure, enhanced re-epithelialization, reduced inflammation, and guided collagen alignment toward a skin-like architecture in vivo. In conclusion, this bioadhesive, ROSresponsive glycerogel dressing represents a versatile therapeutic platform that actively engages in pathological wound environments, showing superior effects compared with conventional hydrogel-based dressings.

키워드