Nanoenzyme–chitosan hydrogel complex with cascade catalytic and self-reinforced antibacterial performance for accelerated healing of diabetic wounds

Abstract

The significant disability and fatality rate of diabetes chronic wounds necessitates the development of efficient diabetic wound healing techniques. The present oxygen treatments for wound healing is restricted by issues such as poor penetration, inadequate supply, and absorption difficulties as well as tanglesome diabetic wound microenvironment issues such as hyperglycemia, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), and hypoxia. Herein, we designed a multifunctional glucose oxidase (GOx) and catalase (CAT) nanoenzyme–chitosan (GCNC) hydrogel complex to improve the microenvironment of diabetic wounds and provide continuous oxygen delivery for efficient wound healing. By simultaneously forming the GOx–CAT nanoenzyme (GCNE) composite, the GCNC hydrogel complex could effectively reduce glucose and ROS (H₂O₂) concentrations in diabetic wounds through cascade catalytic reactions and achieve continuous oxygen supply, which promoted cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis, thereby accelerating diabetic wound healing. In addition, the byproduct gluconic acid produced by the cascade reaction can activate the amino group of chitosan to reinforce the antibacterial performance and prevent microbial infection. This multifunctional GCNC hydrogel complex with continuous oxygen supply, self-reinforcing antibacterial properties, and byproduct-free features provides a general strategy for repairing the extensive tissue damage in diabetes.