Multifunctional hydrogels loaded with drugs for spinal cord injury repair

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) constitutes a devastating neurological trauma that abolishes sensory and motor functions and triggers multiple complications, severely compromising patient quality of life. In response, we engineered a dynamic crosslinked hydrogel (CPFh-Mec) dedicated to SCI repair. The construct incorporates natural bioactives-chitosan (CTS), protocatechuic aldehyde (PA), and Fe(III) and functions as a scaffold for the neurorestorative drug mecobalamin (Mec). Dynamic covalent and hydrogen bonding confer exceptional adhesion, injectability, degradability, and autonomous self-healing. By profiling physicochemical properties, in vitro and in vivo biosafety, and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging efficacy, we achieve neuronal regeneration and motor recovery in SCI mice, offering a fresh paradigm for SCI biomaterial design.