Injectable natural hydrogel-loaded Ta4C3 quantum dots self-assembled with Phillyrin-mediated NIR-II anti-infection for acute sinusitis

quantum dots and natural polymers-quaternary chitosan and sodium alginate. The hydrogel is designed for NIR II-mediated treatment of acute sinusitis via combined photothermal and photodynamic therapy. It exhibited a photothermal conversion efficiency of 22.6% and generated transient ROS, as demonstrated in vitro. Bacteriostatic experiments revealed that the hydrogel inhibited S. aureus with an efficiency of 99.7%. Furthermore, cell studies showed that the hydrogel was minimally cytotoxic, modulated macrophage cytokine expression, and displayed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Finally, in a rabbit sinusitis model, hydrogel implantation at the treatment site significantly reduced bacterial burden and decreased inflammation after NIR II laser treatment, demonstrating promising therapeutic potential.