Injectable hydrogel based on the furoic acid-modified chitosan for accelerating wound healing.

In this study, a novel injectable hydrogel, termed as FUA-CS, was developed based on furoic acid-modified chitosan (FUA-CS) and applied to accelerate wound healing. Initially, the gelation precursor, FUA-CS polymer, was synthesized by conjugating furoic acid (FUA) molecules to chitosan (CS) chains through amidation. At a physiological temperature (37 °C), the FUA-CS polymers undergo crosslinking with four-armed polyethylene glycol-maleimide (4-arm PEG-Mal) via Diels-Alder reactions, resulting in the formation of viscoelastic hydrogels. The resulting FUA-CS exhibited several desirable properties, including low cytotoxicity, high swelling ratios, and excellent rheological characteristics. Furthermore, in vitro cell assays provided compelling evidence that the FUA-CS significantly enhanced cell proliferation and migration, playing a crucial role in promoting wound healing. Notably, in vivo studies demonstrated that the FUA-CS exhibited excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, highlighting its potential as a promising candidate for wound healing applications. Wound repair studies revealed that the FUA-CS effectively stimulated angiogenesis and collagen deposition, thereby significantly accelerating the wound-healing process. Compared to the traditional wound dressings, the FUA-CS improved the gas permeability, enhanced moisture retention, increased biocompatibility, and boosted patient comfort and compliance. Therefore, the FUA-CS as a novel and promising solution in the field of wound care, opening new avenues for the development of more effective wound-healing therapies.