High oxidative stress injury and bacterial infection are the main challenges that impair wound healing in diabetic patients. Therefore, a hydrogel with enhanced antimicrobial and antioxidant properties was developed for rapid healing of diabetic wounds. In this study, chitosan methacrylate-gallic acid (CSMA-GA) polymer with antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, and ultraviolet (UV)-triggered gelling properties was developed as a hydrogel precursor. Meanwhile, amphiphilic Pluronic F127 molecules were used to load hydrophobic chlorhexidine drug molecules to obtain F127/chlorhexidine nanoparticle (NP) with strong antibacterial activity. Subsequently, F127/chlorhexidine NPs were encapsulated in CSMA-GA hydrogel to further enhance its antibacterial activity. The hybrid hydrogel platform (CSMA-GA/F127/chlorhexidine (CMGFC)) exhibited high antibacterial efficiency (> 99.9%) and strong reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging ability (> 80.0%), which effectively protected cells from external oxidative stress (upregulated superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione/oxidized glutathione disulfide (GSH/GSSG) levels and downregulated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels). Moreover, in vivo results proved that the CMGFC hydrogel significantly reduced inflammatory responses (downregulated interleukin-6 (IL-6) and upregulated interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels), promoted angiogenesis (upregulated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD 31) levels), and wound healing (enhanced collagen deposition and tissue remodelling). Overall, the CMGFC hydrogel with enhanced antimicrobial and antioxidant properties demonstrated significant potential to enhance diabetic wound healing.

Electrolytes can be taken orally or intravenously as supplements or therapeutics. However, their therapeutic window may exceed the serum toxicity threshold, making systemic delivery a poor option. Local injection is also not adequate due to rapid diffusion of electrolytes. Here, we solved this issue with a nanocapsule technology, comprising an electrolyte nanocrystal as the drug filling and a silica sheath to regulate drug release rates. In particular, we prepared LiF@SiO₂ nanocapsules and investigated their potential as a delivery system for lithium, which was shown in recent studies to be an effective therapeutic agent for osteoarthritis (OA). We demonstrated that LiF@SiO₂ can extend lithium release time from minutes to more than 60 h. After intra- articular (i.a.) injection into a rat OA model, the nanocapsules reduced the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) score by 71% in 8 weeks while inducing no systemic toxicity. Our study opens new doors for improved delivery of electrolyte therapeutics, which have rarely been studied in the past.