Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory Bi-functional carbon dots hydrogel dressing for robust promotion of wound healing

The abuse of antibiotics leading to bacterial resistance has emerged as a significant impediment to wound healing. Consequently, this study developed antibacterial and anti-inflammatory bi-functional carbon dots (AAB-CDs) as the primary active material for the preparation of hydrogel wound dressings, aiming to promote wound healing. The synthesized AAB-CDs exhibited ultra-small size (2.3 nm), abundant surface functional groups, high Zeta potential (30.9 mV), and excellent biocompatibility. The positively charged AAB-CDs with outstanding antibacterial properties, mitigating the risk of bacterial resistance, while the abundant surface functional groups imparted stable antioxidant performance for sustained wound anti-inflammatory effects. Moreover, in vitro experiments demonstrated that the hydrogel dressings exhibited remarkable antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and significantly promoted the proliferation of L929 fibroblasts. In vivo experiments further substantiated the feasibility of the hydrogel dressings in promoting wound healing and histological analysis revealed the biological mechanisms underlying the promotion of wound healing. In conclusion, AAB-CDs with robust antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties hold tremendous potential for promoting wound healing, providing practical insights for the biological application of CDs.