Oxygen Nanobubbles-Embedded Hydrogel as Wound Dressing to Accelerate Healing

Herein, we propose an oxygen nanobubbles-embedded hydrogel(ONB-G)with carbopol for oxygenation of wounds to accelerate the wound healingprocess. We integrate carbopol, hydrogel, and dextran-based oxygennanobubbles (ONBs) to prepare ONB-G where ONBs can hold and releaseoxygen to accelerate wound healing. Oxygen release tests showed thatthe proposed ONB-G could encapsulate oxygen in the hydrogels for upto 34 days; meanwhile, fluorescence studies indicated that the ONB-Gcould maintain high oxygen levels for up to 4 weeks. The effect ofcarbopol concentration on the oxygen release capacity and rheologicalfeatures of the ONB-G were also investigated along with the sterilityof ONB-G. HDFa cell-based studies were first conducted to evaluatethe viability, proliferation, and revival of cells in hypoxia. Scratchassay and mRNA expression studies indicated the potential benefitfor wound closure. Histological evaluation of tissues with a pig modelwith incision and punch wounds showed that treatment with ONB-G exhibitedimproved healing compared with hydrogel without ONBs or treated withoutthe gel. Our studies show that dextran-shell ONBs embedded in a gel(ONB-G) have the potential to accelerate wound healing, given itsoxygen-holding capacity and release properties.

Automated summary

In this study, an oxygen nanobubbles-embedded hydrogel (ONB-G) with carbopol was proposed for oxygenation of wounds to accelerate wound healing. ONB-G, prepared by integrating carbopol, hydrogel, and dextran-based oxygen nanobubbles (ONBs), can hold and release oxygen to promote wound healing. Experimental results showed that ONB-G could encapsulate oxygen for up to 34 days and maintain high oxygen levels for up to 4 weeks. HDFa cell-based studies demonstrated the potential of ONB-G in enhancing cell viability, proliferation, and wound closure. Histological evaluation using a pig model also indicated improved healing with ONB-G treatment compared to control groups. Overall, dextran-shell ONBs embedded in a gel exhibit promising potential in accelerating wound healing.