Fudan University Researchers Develop pH-Responsive Hydrogel for Intelligent Wound Management
TL;DR
Fudan University's hydrogel technology offers a competitive edge in wound care by achieving over 90% wound closure in 14 days, outperforming standard treatments for complex wounds.
The hydrogel uses sodium alginate and carboxymethyl chitosan to sense pH changes, releasing antibacterial tannic acid in acidic environments and regenerative zinc ions in alkaline conditions.
This intelligent hydrogel reduces drug overuse and frequent dressing changes, improving patient outcomes for diabetic ulcers and surgical infections while promoting better healing.
A smart hydrogel from Fudan University acts like a doctor, switching from fighting infection to tissue repair based on wound pH changes in real-time.
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A research team from Fudan University has developed a hydrogel technology that senses pH changes in wound environments and dynamically releases functional agents, enabling a switch from antibacterial action to tissue repair. The material, constructed from an interpenetrating network of sodium alginate and carboxymethyl chitosan and loaded with tannic acid and zinc-doped bioactive glass, represents a significant advancement in intelligent wound management. Led by Prof. Xiangchao Meng, the team designed the hydrogel to respond like medical professionals by adapting to each healing stage.
"In an acidic wound environment, which is typical during infection, the gel contracts and releases tannic acid to kill bacteria and reduce oxidative stress," explains Meng. As healing progresses and the pH becomes more alkaline, the gel expands and gradually releases zinc and calcium ions that promote angiogenesis and tissue regeneration. In preclinical rat models with infected wounds, the hydrogel achieved over 90% wound closure in just 14 days, significantly outperforming standard treatments. Histological analysis revealed enhanced collagen deposition, reduced inflammation, and improved blood vessel formation.
The research findings are documented in the journal Biomedical Technology with the DOI 10.1016/j.bmt.2025.100120. Notably, the gel remains inert in healthy tissue and activates only under pathological conditions, reducing drug overuse and limiting the need for frequent dressing changes. This feature makes it especially promising for treating complex wounds like diabetic foot ulcers or post-surgical infections. The team's approach addresses a critical challenge in wound care where traditional treatments often fail to adapt to changing wound conditions throughout the healing process.
The dual-function system's ability to provide precise, stage-specific control of infected wound treatment represents a step toward intelligent wound management. "Materials that can listen to the body and respond accordingly could redefine how we treat injury and disease," adds Meng. The research was supported by multiple funding sources including the Youth Program of Minhang Hospital, Shanghai Minhang District Medical Specialty Construction Project, and Zhejiang Provincial Medicine and Health Technology Project.
Curated from 24-7 Press Release
