A collagen/nanocellulose/lignin hydrogel dressing mimicking to the plant cell wall for enhanced wound healing and bacterial inhibition

Skin injuries and burns are prevalent health concerns, complicated by drug-resistant bacterial infections. This underscores the urgent need for innovative antimicrobial wound dressings with superior performance. In this study, a biomimetic antimicrobial hydrogel dressing was developed, inspired by the function of plant cell walls to retain moisture and resist microorganism. The hydrogel was fabricated using recombinant human-like collagen (HLC) as a matrix, integrated with TEMPO-oxidized nanocellulose (TOCN) and soluble lignin. The results demonstrated hydrogen bond formation between cellulose molecules via hydroxyl (-OH) and protonated carboxyl (-COOH) groups. Furthermore, hydrogen ions (-H⁺) derived from acetic acid neutralized the carboxylate groups (-COO⁻) on the surface of TOCN, reducing electrostatic repulsion and enhancing van der Waals interactions among nanofibers, leading to their mutual attraction. Additionally, collagen molecules spontaneously assembled into fibrous structures. The hydrogel exhibited good water retention and antimicrobial activity, establishing an optimal microenvironment for wound healing. In vivo experiments using a murine wound model showed that HLC/TOCN/Lignin hydrogel effectively inhibited bacterial growth and promoted fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition. In conclusion, this study presented a "multi-component synergistic" assembly approach to develop a biologically-based hydrogel dressing with good antimicrobial properties. Overview chart of design strategy for HLC/TOCN/Lignin hydrogels applied in the wound healing. • The hydrogel mimicking to plant cell wall could retain moisture and resist bacteria. • The hydrogel was constructed by collagen, TOCN and soluble lignin. • The hydrogel had broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties. • The bacteria did not develop drug-resistance to the hydrogel. • A "multi-component synergistic" way was used to prepare a collagen-based hydrogel.