Abstract

Skin injury disrupts the epidermal barrier, rendering tissues vulnerable to bacterial invasion and persistent oxidative stress, which collectively impair the healing process. To address these challenges, a multifunctional gelatin-syringaldehyde-zinc (GSZ) composite hydrogel herein was devised via the Michael addition of syringaldehyde (SA) to methacrylated gelatin (GelGMA), followed by Zn2+-mediated coordination cross-linking. The GSZ hydrogel exhibited a well-defined porous microstructure, rapid photocross-linking behavior, and favorable swelling capacity. In vitro studies confirmed its favorable biocompatibility, ability to promote cell proliferation and migration, and remarkable antioxidant and broad-spectrum antibacterial activities. In a mouse Staphylococcus aureus-infected full-thickness wound model, the GSZ hydrogel accelerated wound closure, facilitated epithelial regeneration, stimulated angiogenesis, and promoted collagen deposition. This study proposes a synergistic strategy for engineering bioactive hydrogels that integrate reactive oxygen species scavenging, antimicrobial function, and proregenerative cues into a single platform, thus offering a promising multifunctional dressing for the management of infected and chronic wounds.