Work

Self-assembled magnesium peroxide supramolecular hydrogel for oxidants neutralization and chemical burn management

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Supramolecular hydrogels have emerged as a transformative strategy for burn wound management due to their dynamic adaptability and bio-interfacial responses. Herein, a self-assembled magnesium peroxide (MPO) supramolecular hydrogel was engineered as a first-aid intervention for oxidant-induced chemical burns. Unlike conventional approaches that mechanically entrap pre-synthesized MPO nanoparticles within hydrogel matrices, the designed hydrogel system utilized metastable MPO species generated in situ during the one-pot synthesis to form a crosslinker-free network through hydrogen bonding and Mg 2+ coordination. The MPO species dynamically assembled into the hydrogel matrix by serving as structural nodes, while the tailored linkers dictated mechanical robustness. The hydrogel exhibited superior efficacy to effectively neutralize residual oxidants by chemical burn (e.g., NaClO), while sustained oxygen release and Mg 2+ supply from MPO synergistically established a regenerative microenvironment to accelerate angiogenesis and epithelialization. As validated on a murine NaClO-induced chemical burn model, the developed hydrogel achieved excellent oxidant clearance and reduced wound area compared to controls, demonstrating its efficacy as an emergency treatment. This work pioneers a novel hydrogel architecture integrating active MPO species, offering a blueprint for designing oxygen-supplying biomaterials as next-generation therapeutic hydrogels in emergency trauma care. • A self-assembled MPO-based supramolecular hydrogel was fabricated. • The hydrogel was formed through hydrogen bonding and metal ion coordination between MPO species and arginine. • The hydrogel showed a controlled release of hydrogen peroxide to neutralize oxidants. • The hydrogel presented the potential for in-time oxidant-induced chemical burn treatment.

Source: Bioactive Materials

DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2025.11.002

Authors: Meng Zhang, Wanting Hao, Zi Fu, Ying Huang, Fuhua Yan, Dalong Ni

Institutions: Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Ruijin Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Wound Healing and Treatments

Subfield: Rehabilitation

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,200