One potent sponge based on plant-protein-polyphenol assemblies for coagulopathic hemostasis

Commercially available gelatin sponges are widely used in coagulation-dependent bleeding wounds due to its porous structure that concentrates blood cells, and coagulation factors. However, effective hemostasis cannot currently be achieved under coagulopathic conditions. In this study, we designed a procoagulant zein-polyphenol conjugate (ZC) nanoassemblies prepared using an anti-solvent strategy, were directly applied to the surface functionalization of commercially available gelatin sponges. Polyphenols give ZC coatings excellent adhesion and enhance the gelatin sponge's procoagulant properties. Leveraging their distinctive secondary structure, the optimized ZC nanoparticle-coated sponges demonstrated enhanced <i>in vitro</i> hemostatic properties compared to unmodified commercial gelatin sponges and exhibited superior red blood cell and platelet adhesion characteristics. Additionally, the sponges enhanced with the ZC coating exhibited superior hemostatic potential in a femoral-artery-injury model, under both coagulation-dependent and coagulopathic conditions. The current study presents a promising approach for the utilisation of zein-based procoagulant materials for versatile hemostatic materials engineering applications.