Flexible Wood-Based Janus Hydrogel for Nasal Infection

Nasal diseases are pervasive infections that can impair the quality of life of sufferers. In this study, a flexible modified triplochitin scleroxylon (MTS)-based Janus hydrogel (MTS@P/DLT) was obtained by disrupting the homogeneity of the system using DL-α-tocopherol (DLT) with flexible wood as the framework and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as the outer matrix. At a PVA concentration of 10 wt %, DLT formed a homogeneous layer, as revealed by electron microscopy. Mechanical property analysis showed that chemical and hydrogel modifications significantly increased the flexibility and toughness of the hydrogel. Microscopic and macroscopic assessment of the characteristics of the two sides of the MTS@P/DLT hydrogel revealed that one side of the DLT film had antiadhesion effects. Molecular dynamics simulation was used to determine the movement law of DLT in a PVA solution. The stronger intermolecular force between DLT and PVA than that between DLT and water, as well as between DLT molecules, enabled the formation of a homogeneous DLT film by controlling the concentration of PVA. In vitro and in vivo models demonstrated the potential of MTS@P/DLT to resist infection and facilitate recovery. Thus, MTS@P/DLT is promising for medical use.