Antler-Cm/Egcg Dual-Network Hydrogel Promotes Diabetic Wound Healing

we aimed to design and fabricate a gelatin (G)/sodium alginate (SA)-based (SA/G) dual-network hydrogel loaded with ABPC-derived conditioned medium (ABPC-CM) and EGCG (CEGA) as a dressing for treating diabetic maxillofacial wounds. Isolation, culture, and identification of ABPCs; Preparation of ABPC-CM; Preparation, characterization and biocompatibility test of hydrogels; In vitro and in vivo antibacterial properties; In vitro antioxidant properties of hydrogel; In vitro scratch assay and tube formation assay; Macrophage polarization test; In vivo experiments; Histological analysis; Statistical analysis. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that CEGA hydrogels exhibited excellent swelling capacity, sustained release, and mechanical properties, with the capabilities of enhancing cell proliferation, promoting angiogenesis, exhibiting antibacterial properties, mitigating inflammation, and regulating macrophage polarization. Diabetic maxillofacial wound healing is characterized by persistent inflammation, reactive oxygen species overproduction, bacterial infection, and compromised angiogenesis. Antler Blastema Progenitor Cells (ABPCs) enhance wound healing by promoting cell proliferation and angiogenesis via paracrine effects. Notably, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the main component of green tea, exhibits antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. The CEGA hydrogel effectively retained and delivered multiple bioactive factors from ABPC-CM that play roles in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and macrophage polarization. Additionally, the CEGA hydrogel, which releases EGCG, responds to bacterial infections and protects cells from oxidative stress damage. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that the constructed dual-network hydrogel represents a novel therapeutic dressing for diabetic maxillofacial wounds.