A methacrylated pullulan hydrogel incorporating phycocyanin-functionalized copper sulfide nanoparticles for photothermal antibacterial therapy and improved wound healing

Abstract

Bacteria-associated wound infections impose a significant burden on patients and healthcare systems. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop a novel multifunctional antibiotic-free dressing that can effectively prevent wound infections and promote healing. In this study, a multifunctional hydrogel (PulMA/CuS@PC) was synthesized by encapsulating phycocyanin-Functionalized copper sulfide nanoparticles (CuS@PC) in photo-crosslinkable methacrylated pullulan (PluMA), exhibiting photothermal antibacterial properties and enhanced wound healing capabilities. The PulMA/CuS@PC hydrogel exhibits excellent mechanical properties, favorable swelling ability, good biocompatibility, and effective photothermal antibacterial activity. The incorporation of CuS@PC NPs significantly enhances the hydrogel's photothermal antibacterial efficacy against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, the PulMA/CuS@PC hydrogel demonstrated substantial wound healing capability in a mouse model of full-thickness skin infection. This was evidenced by a marked reduction in inflammatory response as well as notable improvements in both wound healing and collagen deposition. This study underscores the potential clinical application of the developed multifunctional PulMA/CuS@PC hydrogel as an innovative wound dressing designed to prevent infection while facilitating skin regeneration.

Keywords: Antibacterial effect; Copper sulfide nanoparticle; Photothermal therapy; Phycocyanin; Wound healing.