# Multifunctional carboxymethyl cellulose-based hydrogels with zwitterionic and silver nanowire components for wound management

## TL;DR

Researchers developed a new type of wound dressing using hydrogels with silver nanowires that help fight infection, support healing, and manage moisture in chronic wounds.

## Contribution

A novel zwitterionic hydrogel with silver nanowires was created for enhanced chronic wound management.

## Key findings

- The hydrogels showed strong antibacterial and antioxidant activity with low cytotoxicity.
- In vivo experiments revealed accelerated wound closure and enhanced tissue regeneration.
- Hydrogels promoted M2 macrophage polarization, supporting pro-healing responses.

## Abstract

Chronic wounds represent a major global health burden, while conventional dressings often fail to meet the complex requirements of chronic wound management, including infection control, moisture balance, and tissue regeneration. In this study, two multifunctional zwitterionic hydrogels—vinylpyridine carboxybetaine/sulfobetaine/silver nanowire/carboxymethyl cellulose (VCS/Ag/CMC) and acrylamide carboxybetaine/sulfobetaine/silver nanowire/carboxymethyl cellulose (ACS/Ag/CMC) – were synthesized. Structural analyses confirmed the successful incorporation of aromatic or aliphatic zwitterionic components and uniform distribution of silver nanowires within the CMC-based hydrogel networks. Both hydrogels exhibited favorable mechanical strength, high swelling capacity, controlled degradability, and sustained silver release, providing a balanced profile for chronic wound applications. In vitro studies demonstrated potent antibacterial and antioxidant activities, while in vivo experiments revealed accelerated wound closure, enhanced re-epithelialization, collagen deposition, and neovascularization. Moreover, the hydrogels promoted macrophage polarization toward the pro-healing M2 phenotype. Collectively, these findings highlight the promise of zwitterionic hydrogels as multifunctional platforms for chronic wound management and regenerative medicine.

•Dual-zwitterionic CMC hydrogels with Ag nanowires were synthesized and characterized•Hydrogels show strong antibacterial and antioxidant activity with low cytotoxicity•Sustained Ag release, robust mechanics, high swelling; tailored for chronic wounds•Hydrogels speed closure, boost collagen/angiogenesis, shift M2 macrophages

Dual-zwitterionic CMC hydrogels with Ag nanowires were synthesized and characterized

Hydrogels show strong antibacterial and antioxidant activity with low cytotoxicity

Sustained Ag release, robust mechanics, high swelling; tailored for chronic wounds

Hydrogels speed closure, boost collagen/angiogenesis, shift M2 macrophages

Biomaterials; Biotechnology; Cell biology; Materials in biotechnology