Reactive oxygen species scavenging hydrogel for wound healing in diabetic mice

Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and bacterial infection are intractable obstacles for wound healing in diabetic foot ulcers. Here, we devised a novel approach using a multifunctional hydrogel to achieve self-cascade glucose depletion and ROS scavenging, thereby modifying the diabetic wound microenvironment. In this study, using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), borax, oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC), and nanozymes (AuPt@PDA), a PVA/Borax/OPC/AuPt@PDA (PBON) hydrogel was prepared by a one-step process. The PBON hydrogel combined with near-infrared (NIR) treatment can match the complicated and changeable microenvironment in the diabetic high-mobility region through glucose depletion, ROS scavenging, photothermal therapy (photothermal conversion 81.9%), and deformation adaptation, thus promoting wound healing close to the hip in diabetic mice through angiogenesis and epidermal regeneration by collagen deposition. This approach provides a simple, safe, and efficient treatment for diabetic wounds in mobile regions.