~IIT Gandhinagar and Nirma University researchers have developed a novel antibiotic-free injectable hydrogel that accelerates wound healing using antioxidant, antibacterial, and sustained drug-release technology.
Gandhinagar, Gujarat, July 14 (VNI): Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) and Nirma University have developed an innovative antibiotic-free multifunctional injectable hydrogel that significantly accelerates wound healing by combining antioxidant, antibacterial, and sustained drug-release properties in a single platform.
The newly developed hydrogel is designed to address the major biological challenges associated with deep wounds, including bacterial infections and the accumulation of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damage healthy cells and delay tissue repair. The technology is based on a novel metal-phenolic network (MPN) featuring the first reported cerium-rutin nanocomplex for wound healing. Cerium acts as an antioxidant enzyme mimic that neutralizes excess ROS, while rutin, a plant-derived antioxidant, provides antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits, together promoting faster tissue regeneration.
The research, published in ACS Applied Bio Materials under the title “Nanocomplex-Integrated Multifunctional Hydrogel for Fast-Tracked Wound Repair Application: A Preclinical Evaluation,” demonstrated promising results in laboratory and preclinical animal studies. The hydrogel showed excellent compatibility with blood and surrounding tissues while enabling controlled, sustained release of therapeutic agents. It also exhibited a high swelling capacity, absorbing wound fluid up to ten times its own weight, thereby maintaining an optimal healing environment and reducing the risk of infection.
Corresponding author Prof. Mukesh Dhanka, Assistant Professor at IITGN’s Department of Biological Sciences and Engineering, said the research represents an important step toward designing advanced biomaterials that actively support tissue regeneration rather than simply covering wounds. First author Shreyash Apotikar, who completed his MTech at IITGN, noted that the hydrogel was developed to tackle multiple biological barriers simultaneously, creating a coordinated therapeutic response for effective healing.
Researchers believe the patented technology has strong potential for treating chronic and difficult-to-heal wounds in both human and veterinary medicine. The team is now seeking industry partners for large-animal studies, clinical translation, commercialization, and technology licensing, paving the way for next-generation wound care therapies. VNI NEWS, IIT Gandhinagar, Nirma University, Hydrogel, Wound Healing, Injectable Hydrogel, Biomaterials, Nanotechnology, Gujarat Research, Hydrogel Research, Wound Care, Biomedical Innovation, Nanotechnology, Healthcare, Gujarat, Research, Regenerative Medicine, VNINews, VNINews.com