Researchers at NUST MISIS have developed a biocompatible hydrogel for wound healing that helps cells cope with oxidative stress, one of the major factors contributing to delayed tissue repair. The polymeric material provides controlled release of an antioxidant agent, reduces the level of cell-damaging reactive oxygen species, and promotes a favorable environment for skin regeneration.
When the body repairs damaged tissue, inflammation develops at the wound site. However, if this process is prolonged, excessive amounts of reactive oxygen species — chemically active molecules capable of damaging cells — accumulate in the tissues. This condition is known as oxidative stress. It is considered one of the key causes of delayed wound healing, particularly in chronic skin injuries.
To address this problem, a team from the College of Biomedical Engineering at NUST MISIS developed a hydrogel system based on sodium alginate, a natural polymer derived from brown algae. Dendrimers were used to stabilize the structure and serve as molecular containers for delivering the active component. As the antioxidant agent, the researchers used a metalloporphyrin capable of mimicking the activity of the enzyme superoxide dismutase, which protects cells from excessive levels of reactive oxygen species.
The developed system combines the functions of all its components. Dendrimers ensure efficient loading of the porphyrin and protect it from premature degradation, while the hydrogel matrix provides conditions for its gradual release directly at the site of injury. The study showed that most of the antioxidant is released in a controlled manner during the first 24 hours. This mechanism is particularly important during the early stages of wound healing, when cells are most vulnerable to oxidative stress.
The researchers confirmed the stability of the system and the effective incorporation of the antioxidant component into the material. In addition, the hydrogel maintained its structural integrity over an extended period and demonstrated the properties required for use in modern medical coatings.
“Biological tests were conducted on human skin cells. The results showed that the material had no toxic effect on keratinocytes and fibroblasts, the main cells involved in the regeneration of skin tissue. Their viability remained high even after several days of contact with the hydrogel,” said Nikita Yabbarov, Associate Professor at the College of Biomedical Engineering at NUST MISIS.
After confirming the material’s biocompatibility, the researchers evaluated the functional activity of the hydrogel under conditions of artificially induced oxidative stress. The experiments showed that the system significantly reduced excessive levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species. This also confirms the ability of the developed formulation to protect cells from oxidative damage.
“Another important result was the material’s effect on immune cells — macrophages. They play a key role in wound healing: some types promote inflammation, while others, on the contrary, contribute to tissue repair. The developed hydrogel stimulated the transition of macrophages to a pro-regenerative state, which is associated with the formation of new tissue and the resolution of the inflammatory process,” said Darya Zinovieva, co-author of the study and a student at the College of Biomedical Engineering at NUST MISIS.
Fedor Senatov, Director of the College of Biomedical Engineering at NUST MISIS, said: “The results allow us to consider the new hydrogel system as a promising platform for developing advanced biocompatible wound-healing coatings. In the future, the technology could form the basis for materials designed to restore skin and mucous membranes where it is necessary to simultaneously control inflammation, protect cells from oxidative damage, and stimulate natural regenerative processes. It is particularly important to note that this undergraduate thesis was carried out at the level of a serious scientific study. The research topic and its relevance were driven by the partners of our university within the Health Engineering consortium, established at the initiative of MISIS as part of the Priority 2030 program.”
