A Boron-Based Probe Driven Theranostic Hydrogel Dressing for Visual Monitoring and Matching Chronic Wound Healing

Abstract

Chronic wound management remains a challenge due to the epithelial barrier loss, drug-resistant bacterial infections, inflammatory storm, and compromised angiogenesis. Herein, a boron-based probe driven theranostic hydrogel dressing for visual monitoring and matching chronic wounds healing is developed to encourage chronic wound healing. The boron-based (BT) probe is synthesized through the dynamic interaction between borax (B) and tannic acid (TA) and serves as a cross-linker for constructing the guar gum/polyvinyl alcohol/BT (GPBT) hydrogels. Notably, the GPBT hydrogels offer visual monitoring through color change and remote diagnosis via smartphone. Meanwhile, they exhibit the ability to match the different healing stages of chronic wounds. During the early alkaline stage, the controlled release of TA accelerates healing by polarizing M1 macrophages to M2 macrophages and promoting angiogenesis. As the wound progresses into the acidic healing phase, the hydrogels undergo programmed disassembly to facilitate tissue regeneration. Remarkably, the hydrogel dressing demonstrates potent antibacterial activity by disrupting bacterial membrane potential. Furthermore, it has good self-healing, self-adaptive, and adhesion properties. This multifunctional theranostic hydrogel dressing, featuring visual monitoring and matching chronic wound healing, lays the foundation for the development of personalized and precise theranostic platforms.