A Multifunctional MXene@CeO <sub>2</sub> ‐Enhanced Hydrogel Dressing for Synergistic Photothermal Antibacterial and Antioxidative Therapy in Wound Healing
Qianyu Guo, Miaomiao Zhang, Jinyao Zheng, Zongjia Li, Yuanhao Zhang, Ying Chen, Yu Chen, Xiue Jiang, Jilin Tang
Abstract
Abstract Chronic wounds infected with drug‐resistant bacteria present a formidable clinical challenge, exacerbated by antibiotic overuse that severely compromises healing. Herein, a multifunctional therapeutic hydrogel wound dressing is developed to address these challenges. This advanced nanocomposite hydrogel incorporates cerium dioxide‐doped MXene nanosheets (MXene@CeO 2 ) within a glycidyl methacrylate‐modified gelatin (GMA‐Gelatin) matrix and crosslinked into a hydrogel under UV irradiation (GMAG‐GEL), forming a near‐infrared (NIR)‐responsive material (MXene@CeO 2 /GMAG‐GEL). This incorporation enhances the mechanical strength of the hydrogel and creates a protective microenvironment for wound repair. In the acidic environment of bacterial infections, MXene@CeO 2 /GMAG‐GEL facilitates the electrostatic capture of bacteria. Synergizing with its photothermal capability, it exhibits exceptional antibacterial activity, effectively killing drug‐resistant bacteria and disrupting bacterial biofilms. After eradicating the infection, MXene@CeO 2 /GMAG‐GEL further alleviates oxidative stress, promotes cell migration and angiogenesis, and induces macrophage polarization toward an anti‐inflammatory phenotype. In vivo studies confirmed MXene@CeO 2 /GMAG‐GEL significantly accelerates wound closure and tissue regeneration. This work overcomes the key challenges of antibiotic resistance, persistent inflammation, and impaired tissue regeneration, presents a comprehensive therapeutic strategy for drug‐resistant bacterial wound infections through a single multifunctional platform.