Microgel Assembly Powder Improves Acute Hemostasis, Antibacterial, and Wound Healing via In Situ Co-Assembly of Erythrocyte and Microgel

Rapid and effective hemostasis on irregular-shaped non-compressible bleeding wounds is still one of the key challenges in clinical practice. Herein, a novel multi-functional microgel assembly powder (MAP) composed of oxidized dextran/methacrylate gelatin (ODex/GelMA) microgel powder and long-chain alkyl quaternized chitosan (LQCS) crosslinker powder is reported for acute hemostasis, antibacterial, and wound healing. When MAP is applied onto bleeding wounds, porous ODex/GelMA microgel powder immediately absorbs massive liquid in blood whilst LQCS induces in situ co-assembly of erythrocytes and microgels. In other words, MAP combines the merits of hemostatic powders and hemostatic hydrogels, that is, the excellent hemostasis performance of MAP is originated from not only the high fluid uptake ratio/rate that causes the aggregation of coagulation factors and erythrocytes, but also the formation of erythrocytes-involved hydrogel-like microgel assembly that dramatically improves the mechanical strength, tissue adhesion and wound sealing performance in blood compared with those in PBS. In addition, MAP also exhibits excellent antibacterial ability, and promotes the wound healing in bacterial-infected full-thickness skin wounds. The fantastic features of MAP including low cost, easy synthesis and usage, excellent hemostasis on irregular-shaped, non-compressible bleeding wounds, outstanding antibacterial and wound healing, good cytocompatibility, make it a promising hemostatic material and wound dressing.