A Novel Food Bore Protein Hydrogel with Silver Ions for Promoting Burn Wound Healing.

Hydrogels have emerged as a promising option for treating local scald wounds due to their unique physical and chemical properties. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ovalbumin/gelatin composite hydrogels in repairing deep II-degree scald wounds using a mouse dorsal skin model. Trauma tissues collected at various time points were analyzed for total protein content, hydroxyproline content, histological features, and expression of relevant markers. The results revealed that the hydrogel accelerated the healing process of scalded wounds, which was 17.27% higher than the control group. The hydrogel treatment also effectively prevented wound enlargement and redness of the edges caused by infection during the initial stage of scalding. The total protein and hydroxyproline content of the treated wounds were significantly elevated. Additionally, the hydrogel up-regulated the expression of VEGF (a crucial angiogenic factor) and down-regulated CD68 (a macrophage marker). In summary, this study provided valuable insights into the potential of multifunctional protein-based hydrogels in wound healing. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.