A glycidyl methacrylate modified collagen/polyethylene glycol diacrylate hydrogel: a mechanically strong hydrogel for loading levofloxacin

Abstract

Artificial suturing of incision after ocular trauma is very complicated and is prone to infection. A material with suitable mechanical strength and good biocompatibility can be expected to solve this problem. In this work, a levofloxacin-loaded collagen/polyethylene glycol diacrylate hydrogel modified with glycidyl methacrylate was synthesized through in situ UV irradiation polymerization. This hydrogel showed a three-dimensional porous structure and good compressive strength of 3.19 MPa, as well as high hydrophilicity, the desired degradation period and good biocompatibility, indicating potential for application in ocular surgical incisions. In addition, the levofloxacin-loaded hydrogel is endowed with good antibacterial activity for Escherichia coli, and good sustained releasing effect of levofloxacin. A suitable environment is provided for preventing infections, which might promote the treatment of ocular incision.