Highly absorbent bio-sponge based on carboxymethyl chitosan/ poly-& gamma;-glutamic acid/platelet-rich plasma for hemostasis and wound healing

Stopping bleeding at an early stage and promoting wound healing are of great significance for efficient wound management. In this study, a carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS)/poly-?-glutamic acid (?-PGA)/platelet-rich plasma (PRP) hydrogel (CP-PRP hydrogel) was firstly prepared by crosslinking of CMCS with ?-PGA and the enzymatic coagulation of PRP. Then, the CP-PRP hydrogel was freeze-dried and transformed into a sponge (CP-PRP sponge). A series of safety experiments with cells, blood, and tissues proved the biocompatibility of the CP-PRP sponge. Importantly, the CP-PRP sponge was able to adhere and condense red blood cells, which accelerated blood clotting. Therefore, the CP-PRP sponge showed an enhanced hemostasis effect compared to SURGIFLO (R) Hemostatic Matrix. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo experiments showed that the sponge was able to release epidermal growth factor (EGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Thus, in a mouse model of full-thickness skin defects, the wounds of the sponge-treated mice were significantly healed within two weeks. These results proved the transforming potential of the CP-PRP sponge as a novel bioactive wound dressing.