Food-Derived Tripeptide-Copper Self-Healing Hydrogel for Infected Wound Healing.

Preclinical study involving in vitro characterization and in vivo animal experiments

“In addition, we evaluated the feasibility of using the GEK hydrogel for the treatment of infected skin wounds by conducting several experiments, including in vitro experiments, tubulogenesis assay, cell migration assay, hematocompatibility assay, antimicrobial assay, and in vivo experiments, including the development of an infected wound mouse model and hemostasis assay.”

The GEK hydrogel promoted wound closure with a healing rate of over 95% by day 12, compared to approximately 65% in the control group

“A quantitative analysis of wound size showed that the GEK hydrogel group completed wound closure by day 12 with a healing rate of >95%, which is higher than that of the control group (~65%) (Fig. 6).”

The hydrogel exhibited antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, causing bacterial contraction and rupture

“Compared with the control, EK, GK and GEK all caused S. aureus and E. coli to contract and rupture; these changes altered their physiological morphologies.”

Lack of in-depth exploration of healing mechanisms and absence of validation in medium-sized to large experimental animals

“Despite these promising results, this study has certain limitations owing to the lack of a more in-depth exploration of the healing mechanisms. Moreover, validation related to medium-sized to large experimental animals is lacking and warrants further exploration.”