A Composite Hydrogel Containing Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Loaded With Artemisia argyi Extract for Improving Chronic Wound Healing

Chronic wounds are a major health problem with increasing global prevalence, which endangers the physical and mental health of those affected and is a heavy burden to healthcare providers. Artemisia argyi extract (AE) has excellent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. In this research, we developed AE loaded composite hydrogel scaffold based on methacrylate gelatin (GelMA)/methacrylate hyaluronic acid (HAMA) and mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) as sustained-release drug carrier vehicles for the treatment of chronic wounds. The presented GelMA/1%HAMA hydrogel possessed stable rheological properties, suitable mechanical properties, appropriate biodegradability, swelling, sustained-release AE capacity. In vitro antibacterial and cell experiments showed that the GelMA/HAMA/MSN@AE hydrogel had excellent antibacterial activity and biocompatibility and induced macrophages to differentiate into M2 phenotype. In vivo wound healing of rat full-thickness cutaneous wounds further demonstrated that the prepared GelMA/HAMA/MSN@AE hydrogel could significantly promote chronic wound healing by upregulating the expression of IL-4, TGF-beta 1, CD31, and alpha-SMA but downregulating the expression of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma and promoting M1-M2 macrophages polarization. Altogether, we believe that the GelMA/HAMA/MSN@AE hydrogel will have wide application prospects in healing chronic wounds.

Automated summary

Chronic wounds are a global health problem that is on the rise, affecting the physical and mental health of individuals and placing a heavy burden on healthcare providers. In this study, a composite hydrogel scaffold based on methacrylate gelatin and methacrylate hyaluronic acid was developed, along with mesoporous silica nanoparticles as sustained-release drug carriers for the treatment of chronic wounds. The hydrogel exhibited excellent antibacterial activity and biocompatibility, and induced the differentiation of macrophages. Animal experiments further demonstrated that the hydrogel significantly promoted wound healing in chronic wounds. Overall, the GelMA/HAMA/MSN@AE hydrogel shows great potential for the treatment of chronic wounds.