On-demand imidazolidinyl urea-based tissue-like, self-healable, and antibacterial hydrogels for infectious wound care.

ABSTRACT: Bacterial wound infections are a growing challenge in healthcare, posing severe risks like systemic infection, organ failure, and sepsis, with projections predicting over 10 million deaths annually by 2050. Antibacterial hydrogels, with adaptable extracellular matrix-like features, are emerging as promising solutions for treating infectious wounds. However, the antibacterial properties of most of these hydrogels are largely attributed to extrinsic agents, and their mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. Herein we introduce for the first time, modified imidazolidinyl urea (IU) as the polymeric backbone for developing tissue-like antibacterial hydrogels. As-designed hydrogels behave tissue-like mechanical features, outstanding antifreeze behavior, and rapid self-healing capabilities.

SUBMITTER: Wu Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11525126 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature