Photothermal effective CeONPs combined in thermosensitive hydrogels with enhanced antibacterial, antioxidant and vascularization performance to accelerate infected diabetic wound healing.

Chronic diabetic wound healing remains a formidable challenge due to susceptibility to bacterial infection, excessive oxidative stress, and poor angiogenesis. To address these issues, a sodium alginate (SA) based photothermal hydrogel dressing with multifunction was fabricated to facilitate wound treatment. Ceria nanoparticles (CeONPs) was synthesized, and their antibacterial performance by near-infrared light triggered photothermal effects was first studied and verified in this work. In addition, to release CeONPs to achieve antioxidation and pro-vascularization, thermosensitive gelatin (Gel) was utilized to embed the nanoparticles in advance and then composited in SA hydrogel networks. SA network was finally strengthened by acid soaking to form partially crystalline regions to act as natural crosslinkers. Results showed that the Gel/SA/CeO hydrogel displayed temperature-responsive release of CeONPs, significant antibacterial and antioxidative activity, as well as the ability to remove without injury and promote infected diabetic wound healing with low cytotoxicity, according to antibacterial investigations, cell studies, and animal studies. This research offers not only a successful method for quickening the healing of diabetic wounds but also a fresh approach to the general use of CeONPs.