From Short Circuit to Completed Circuit: Conductive Hydrogel Facilitating Oral Wound Healing.

The primary challenges posed by oral mucosal diseases are their high incidence and the difficulty in managing symptoms. Inspired by the ability of bioelectricity to activate cells, accelerate metabolism, and enhance immunity, we have developed a conductive polyacrylamide/sodium alginate crosslinked hydrogel composite containing reduced graphene oxide (PAA-SA@rGO). This composite possesses antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, serving as a bridge to turn the "short circuit" of the injured site into a "completed circuit", thereby prompting fibroblasts in proximity to the wound site to secrete growth factors and expedite tissue regeneration. Simultaneously, the PAA-SA@rGO hydrogel effectively seals wounds to form a barrier, exhibit antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and prevent foreign bacterial invasion. As the electric field of the wound was rebuilt and repaired by the PAA-SA@rGO hydrogel, a 5 × 5 mm2 wound in the full-thickness buccal mucosa of rats can be expeditiously mended within mere 7 days. The theoretical calculations indicate that the PAA-SA@rGO hydrogel can aggregate and express SOX2, PITX1 and PITX2 at the wound site, which had a promoting effect on rapid wound healing. Importantly, this PAA-SA@rGO hydrogel has a fast curative effect and only needs to be applied for the first three days, which significantly improves patient satisfaction during treatment. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.