Manganese-induced gallic acid self-assembly fibers as antibacterial dressings for infected wound healing

Abstract

Skin wound infections pose significant challenges in clinical practice, often leading to delayed healing and systemic complications. The overuse of antibiotics has exacerbated bacterial resistance, necessitating the development of alternative antibacterial strategies. Inspired by natural small molecule self-assembly, we developed a novel antibacterial dressing by inducing gallic acid (GA) to self-assemble into fibers through coordination with manganese ions (Mn²⁺). The Mn²⁺/GA self-assembled fibers exhibited excellent biocompatibility, sustained GA release, and enhanced antibacterial activity. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that these fibers significantly promoted the healing of Staphylococcus aureus-infected wounds by inhibiting bacterial growth and reducing inflammation. This study provides a new therapeutic strategy for treating infected wounds using metal ion-induced self-assembly of natural drug molecules.