In this study, a hydrogel composite wound dressing with antibacterial and self-healing ability was prepared using cysteine-modified carboxymethyl chitosan, sodium oxidized alginate, and but-3-yn-2-one base on Schiff base and thiol-alkynone double cross-links. The structure and properties of the hydrogel were characterized by scanning electron microscope, Fourier-transform infrared, and rheological test, followed by antibacterial and in vivo biocompatibility tests. The results showed that the hydrogel exhibited good self-healing, mechanical properties, good antibacterial effect, and in vivo biocompatibility, and can inhibit inflammation and promote skin tissue regeneration in mice. This novel self-healing hydrogel dressing has a broad application prospect in skin tissue engineering.
Keywords: antibacterial; double cross-links; hydrogel; skin repair; wound dressing.