Antibacterial Sericin Cryogels Promote Hemostasis by Facilitating the Activation of Coagulation Pathway and Platelets

Abstract

Cryogels, with high water/blood absorption, have great potential for rapid hemostasis. In this study, a hemostatic and antibacterial sericin‐methacryloyl/Ag cryogel (SMC@Ag) based on freeze polymerization of methacryloyl‐modified sericin and in situ reduction of silver ions is developed. The combination of interconnected micropores and Ag NPs endows the cryogel with high water/blood absorption, and outstanding hemostatic and antibacterial performance. SMC@Ag shows much better hemostatic performance than the commercial gelatin sponge in rat liver injury, tail amputation, and femoral artery injury models. Furthermore, the excellent hemostatic activity of SMC@Ag is due to facilitating the coagulation pathway activation and enhancing the platelets adhesion during coagulation process. Overall, SMC@Ag cryogel with excellent hemostatic and antibacterial performance is a suitable candidate for traumatic hemorrhage and wound healing.

Silk Fibroin Cryogel Building Adaptive Organohydrogels with Switching Mechanics and Viscoelasticity

“…Moreover, the increase in the plateau stress of OHGs with increasing x C18A also reflects increasing stability of their pores filled with the organogels (inset of Figure b). We should note that the compressive mechanical properties of OHGs are much higher than those of the cryogels ,,,− and OHGs reported before. − ,− ,,, …”

“…Cryogelation, that is, gelation conducted below the freezing point of the reaction system is a very efficient method for the preparation of tough macroporous materials having an interconnected open porous architecture. − In contrast to the classical hydrogels, the cryogels possess permanent pores independent of the drying conditions, and exhibit extraordinary mechanical properties such as superior compressibility (>95%) and fatigue resistance in addition to rapid water absorption/desorption capability occurred within seconds. ,− These abilities provide them an advantage over the traditional hydrogels, especially for load bearing applications.…”

Designing Silk-Based Cryogels for Biomedical Applications

“…In addition to non-healing wounds, traumatic hemorrhage is another serious global concern, which requires effective hemostatic dressing materials that can rapidly stop bleeding to enhance survival rate [ 88 , 89 , 90 ]. Recently, Zhu et al [ 76 ] designed an antibacterial and hemostatic cryogel by polymerizing methacryloyl-modified silk sericin, and in situ embedding silver ions into the polymer network at subzero temperature. The cryogel exhibited high blood adsorption capacity, outstanding antimicrobial performance, and much faster hemostatic ability than commercial gelatin in rat tail amputation, liver injury, and femoral artery injury models.…”

“…Cryogels made out of silk-based biomaterials consistently outperformed other scaffolds by offering unique properties where their macroporous structure supports cell growth and migration including nutrient and waste transport, and can improve the speed of scaffolds vascularization [ 70 ]. Similarly, in wound healing applications, the combination of silk-based composite cryogels can offer high blood adsorption capacity due to its highly porous features [ 59 , 76 ]. Furthermore, such silk cryogels exhibit outstanding antimicrobial performance with faster hemostatic ability than current commercial products [ 75 , 76 ].…”

“…Similarly, in wound healing applications, the combination of silk-based composite cryogels can offer high blood adsorption capacity due to its highly porous features [ 59 , 76 ]. Furthermore, such silk cryogels exhibit outstanding antimicrobial performance with faster hemostatic ability than current commercial products [ 75 , 76 ]. Finally, the unique macroporous cryogel network structure has major advantages for cell and drug delivery [ 58 , 69 ].…”