Gelatin and catechol-modified quaternary chitosan cotton dressings with rapid hemostasis and high-efficiency antimicrobial capacity to manage severe bleeding wounds

The development of functional wound dressings capable of both rapid hemostasis and high-efficiency antimicrobial is essential for the management of severe bleeding wounds. Cotton dressings are widely used in clinical practice; however, few dressings can simultaneously achieve rapid hemostasis and high-efficacy antimicrobial. Herein, a versatile cotton dressing (GCQCNF-5) was masterly developed by sequentially deposition catechol modified quaternary chitosan (CQCS) and gelatin onto a cotton nonwoven fabric (NF) surface. Because of the presence of a gelatin sponge layer with suitable thickness and porosity on its surface, GCQCNF-5 exhibits a notably enhanced hemostatic effect compared to NF both in vitro and in vivo, which is even slightly superior to that of MHS (a commercial gelatin hemostatic sponge). Moreover, after exerting a rapid hemostasis effect, GCQCNF-5 can further exploit CQCS to exert excellent immediate antimicrobial and long-lasting bacteriostatic effects. In vivo wound healing experiments further indicated that GCQCNF-5 could significantly promote rapid healing of infected wounds by effectively sterilizing, absorbing exudates, and providing moist healing environments. This study clearly demonstrated that GCQCNF-5 is a versatile wound dressing that can achieve simultaneously rapid hemostasis, high-efficiency antimicrobial, and promote rapid healing of infected wounds, with great application potential for the treatment of severe bleeding wounds.