Title : A novel pectin N-acetyl-L-cysteine nanoceria hybrid system with photothermal therapeutic effects for wound healing
Abstract:
Hydrogels have emerged as versatile polymeric materials for tissue regeneration scaffolds, owing to their biomimetic properties. These materials provide structural support, maintain a moist environment conducive to healing, and enable the encapsulation of nanoparticles and therapeutic agents. Among various applications, integrating cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) with hydrogels has shown immense potential in enhancing wound healing through prolonged drug release and improved efficiency. This study explores a novel nanoceria-based hydrogel system integrated with copper (Cu) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles for photothermal therapy in wound healing.
Wound healing is a complex, multi-stage biological process aimed at restoring tissue functionality and preventing infection. Delayed wound healing, exacerbated by factors such as chronic illnesses and prolonged hospitalization, remains a significant clinical challenge. Hydrogels, with their three-dimensional structures, high water content, and fluid absorption capacity, facilitate cell adhesion, proliferation, neo angiogenesis, and epithelialization. Nanomaterials like nanoceria have demonstrated remarkable properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and angiogenic effects, making them ideal candidates for wound healing applications. Notably, nanoceria’s unique ability to act as an oxidant or antioxidant depending on the pH of its environment further enhances its therapeutic potential.
In this work, a pectin-based hydrogel hybrid system is developed using N-acetyl-L-cysteine-modified nanoceria combined with Cu and Ag nanoparticles. The pectin hydrogel serves as a biocompatible scaffold with excellent water solubility and gelation properties, forming a robust matrix for wound healing. The addition of N-acetyl-L-cysteine enhances the hydrogel’s free radical scavenging activity through its sulfhydryl group, contributing to reduced oxidative stress and inflammation.
Copper nanoparticles within the system play a crucial role in accelerating wound healing by upregulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which promotes endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Moreover, Cu nanoparticles exhibit strong near-infrared (NIR) absorbance due to localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), enhancing the photothermal properties of the hydrogel. Similarly, Ag nanoparticles contribute to the system’s antimicrobial properties and augment its photothermal capabilities.
This composite hydrogel system offers a multifunctional approach to wound healing. The combination of nanoceria’s redox activity, Cu and Ag nanoparticles’ photothermal effects, and the pectin-N-acetyl-L-cysteine scaffold provides a conducive environment for sustained drug release, infection control, and enhanced tissue regeneration. The hybrid hydrogel represents a significant advancement in biomaterials for wound care, addressing key challenges in delayed healing and infection management. Future investigations will focus on in vivo studies to validate its therapeutic efficacy and optimize its clinical applications.
