Zn²⁺-triggered mineralized hydrogel for enhanced deep burn wound healing

The development of advanced wound healing materials for deep burn injuries remains a crucial challenge in biomedical fields. Here, we developed a multifunctional mineralized hydrogel dressing composed of sodium hyaluronate (HA), Rhein, and Zn²⁺ (denoted as HRZn hydrogel) for enhanced deep burn wound healing. The HRZn hydrogel was readily prepared by directly mixing HA, Rhein, and Zn²⁺ and formed through a synergistic combination of in situ mineralization and dynamic crosslinking processes. Notably, we showed that Zn²⁺ could effectively induce the formation of Rhein nanofibers with the assistance of HA. This unique structure not only strengthened the hydrogel’s mechanical properties, but also endowed the HRZn hydrogel with sustained release ability towards Rhein and Zn²⁺. Leveraging the synergistic effects of Rhein and Zn²⁺, the HRZn hydrogel exhibited potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and pro-angiogenic properties. In vivo experiments demonstrated its efficacy in promoting the healing of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)-infected deep burn wounds, highlighting its potential as an advanced wound dressing. Overall, this study presents a promising strategy for the development of multifunctional hydrogels tailored for the treatment of complex burn injuries.