Bacterial infection is a major problem with diabetic wounds that may result in nonhealing chronic ulcers. Here, we report an approach to antibacterial hydrogel dressings for enhanced treatment of infected skin wounds. A fibrous hydrogel was derived from cellulose nanocrystals that were modified with dopamine and cross-linked with gelatin. The hydrogel was loaded with gentamicin, an antibiotic drug. Enhanced antibacterial hydrogel performance resulted from (i) a highly specific sequestration of Fe3+ ions (much needed by bacteria) from the wound exudate and (ii) a dynamic exchange between gentamicin released from the hydrogel and Fe3+ ions withdrawn from the wound exudate. Such exchange was possible due to the high value of the binding constant of Fe3+ ions to dopamine. The hydrogel did not affect the metabolic activity of skin-related cells and showed enhanced antibacterial performance against common wound pathogens such as S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Furthermore, it promoted healing of infected diabetic wounds due to a synergistic antibacterial effect providing the dynamic exchange between Fe3+ ions and gentamicin. This work provides a strategy for the design of dual-function wound dressings, with both starving and killing bacteria and enhanced wound healing performance.
Keywords: antibacterial activity; diabetic wound healing; iron chelation; responsive hydrogels; wound dressings.