Oxidized Bletilla rhizome polysaccharide-based aerogel with synergistic antibiosis and hemostasis for wound healing

Uncontrolled bleeding and infection following trauma remain a clinical challenge. Here, we developed a synergistic hemostatic and antibacterial aerogel dressing based on oxidized Bletilla rhizome polysaccharide Schiff Base (ORBPS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) by using a combined freeze-drying/cross-linking process. Bletilla rhizome polysaccharide (RBP) was extracted by water extraction and alcohol precipitation. RBP contained mannose and glucose in the molar ratio of 2:1 and its molecular weight was 8.2 × 105 g/mol. ORBPS was prepared via Schiff base reaction between silver sulfadiazine and oxidized RBP (ORBP), and verified by FTIR and NMR spectra. The resultant ORBPS/PVA aerogel exhibited excellent antibacterial and hemostatic capabilities. The aerogel also showed good liquid absorption capacity and biocompatibility. Full-thickness skin defect experiments indicated the aerogel enhanced wound healing by reducing inflammation, promoting angiogenesis, and accelerating epithelialization. Therefore, ORBPS/PVA aerogel may be a potential hemostasis and anti-infection wound dressing.