A Methacrylated Gelatin-Based Composite Hydrogel Integrated with Chitin, Hyaluronic Acid, and Czo Nanoparticles for ROS Modulation and Adhesive Wound Healing

To overcome the dual challenges of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and insufficient tissue adhesion in skin wound healing, this study developed a multifunctional hydrogel, designated Gam/Ct-HA@Czo, which integrates ROS-scavenging and tissue-adhesive capabilities. The hydrogel utilized methacrylated gelatin (Gam) as the polymeric matrix and incorporated chitin (Ct), hyaluronic acid (HA), and cerium–zirconium oxide (Czo) nanoparticles to establish a multifunctional hydrogel system. The developed hydrogel demonstrated an ROS scavenging efficiency of 46.8% and a tissue adhesion strength of 16.3 Kpa. It also possessed favorable antioxidant properties, self-healing capacity, and in vitro biocompatibility, which supported its role in effectively promoting tissue regeneration and repair. In a mouse full-thickness skin defect model, treatment with Gam/Ct-HA@Czo hydrogel significantly accelerated wound closure, promoted epithelial regeneration, and facilitated the orderly deposition of collagen. The findings demonstrate that the rational integration of multifunctional components into a hydrogel system offers a promising strategy for enhancing wound repair and regeneration.