A Multifunctional Hydrogel with Photothermal Antibacterial and AntiOxidant Activity for Smart Monitoring and Promotion of Diabetic Wound Healing

Abstract

Persistent oxidative stress and bacterial infection are significant challenges that impede diabetic wound healing. By combining diagnosis and treatment, pH variation on the wound tissue can be monitored in real time, and precise treatment can be carried out promptly to promote diabetic wound healing. In this study, a lipoic acid‐modified chitosa (LAMC) hydrogel is constructed via an amidation reaction, and ceria oxide‐molybdenum disulfide nanoparticles with a polydopamine layer (C@M@P), along with carbon quantum dots (CDs) synthesized by a hydrothermal method, are loaded into the hydrogel, thus developing a diagnostic and therapeutic hydrogel (LAMC/CD‐C@M@P). By incorporating CDs, the hydrogel exhibits high sensitivity and reversibility to pH under ultraviolet light. Furthermore, the images of hydrogels can be collected using smartphones and converted into wound pH signals, providing a means for early detection of bacterial infection. Notably, the LAMC/CD‐C@M@P hydrogel exhibits excellent photothermal antibacterial capability against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and remarkable antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory abilities to alleviate reactive oxygen species and relieve inflammation response. In summary, this multifunctional hydrogel offers great potential as an innovative wound dressing platform, representing a significant advancement in chronic wound management.