Photothermal-responsive injectable hydrogel for wound healing, healing, antibacterial and other biomedical applications
The subject invention provides a novel class of mixed-metal chalcogenide compounds exhibiting POD-like catalytic activity, efficient photothermal conversion under NIR irradiation, and broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties. The invention further provides hydrogel formulations incorporating these compounds in a polymeric matrix, as well as their use in a range of biomedical applications, such as treating infected wounds, preventing surgical site infections, and delivering localized, non-antibiotic antimicrobial therapy.
1 . A hydrogel formulation comprising: (i) a mixed-metal chalcogenide having a general formula of M x M′ 1-x X y , wherein M and M′ are distinct transition metal elements, and X is a chalcogen element; and wherein 0≤x≤1 and 1.5≤y≤2.5; (ii) a thermo-responsive polymer; and (iii) a matrix polymer.
2 . The hydrogel formulation of claim 1 , the mixed-metal chalcogenide being selected from the group consisting of Mo 0.25 Re 0.75 S 2 , Mo 0.5 Re 0.5 S 2 , Mo 0.75 Re 0.25 S 2 , Mo 0.42 Re 0.58 S 1.94 , Mo 0.66 Re 0.34 S 1.85 , and Mo 0.81 Re 0.19 S 1.76 .
3 . The hydrogel formulation of claim 1 , the thermo-responsive polymer being selected from the poloxamer family of block copolymers M and M′ being each independently selected from the group consisting of Mo, W, Re, Nb, Ta, V, Ti, Zr, and Hf, and X being selected from the group consisting of O, S, Se, and Te.
4 . The hydrogel formulation of claim 1 , the matrix polymer being selected from saccharide biopolymers.
5 . The hydrogel formulation of claim 1 , the matrix polymer being engineered to incorporate one or more functional additives selected from the group consisting of pharmaceutical agents, imaging agents, aesthetic or preservation agents, bioactive compounds, protective or stabilizing agents, genetic materials, and functional fillers.
6 . A composition comprising the hydrogel formulation of claim 1 .
7 . A method of treating an infection in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject, an effective amount of the composition of claim 6 .
8 . The method of claim 7 , the infection being caused by microbial pathogens selected from the group consisting of fungal pathogens, and bacterial pathogens.
9 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising, before, after, or simultaneously with the administering step, treating the subject with one or more ROS-generating agents and/or exposing the subject to NIR irradiation.
10 . A method of managing a wound in a subject, comprising administering to the wound, an effective amount of the composition of claim 6 .
11 . The method of claim 10 , comprising injecting the composition into or onto the wound.
12 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising, before, after, or simultaneously with the administering step, treating the wound with one or more ROS-generating agents and/or exposing the wound to NIR irradiation.
13 . A method of protecting a wound from an infection, the method comprising applying an injectable composition according to claim 6 , into or onto the wound.