Accelerating Wound Healing through a Mechano-Electric Synergistic Conductive Hydrogel
Yingying Nie, Cewen Hu, Xinyue Huang, Huajing Zeng, Zhilong Wang, Jiachen Liang, Jizeng Wang
Abstract
To address the challenge of achieving faster wound healing, we present an innovative approach using hydrogel wound dressings that leverage the mechano-electric synergistic effect. This method incorporates piezoelectric zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and conductive carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into a thermosensitive poly( N -isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) hydrogel matrix. The engineered hydrogel demonstrates exceptional mechanical strength, optimal swelling properties, enhanced antibacterial activity, and excellent biocompatibility and biosafety. Upon application to a wound site, the hydrogel undergoes temperature-induced centripetal contraction, which enhances the wound closure process. Moreover, the morphological changes in the hydrogel caused by self-contraction and alterations in skin shape can trigger a piezoelectric effect, generating stable and lasting bioelectric signals that promote fibroblast migration. Consequently, a wound approximately 1 cm 2 in size can nearly completely heal within 14 days, thanks to the hydrogel’s multifaceted therapeutic potential, including anti-inflammatory effects, promotion of cell migration, induction of fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation, and enhancement of angiogenesis. This breakthrough represents a significant advancement over conventional hydrogel wound dressings, offering considerable promise for clinical application.