Single-cell nanoencapsulation enables fabrication of probiotics-loaded hydrogel dressing with improved wound healing efficacy in vivo

Loading pharmaceutical adjuvants into hydrogel dressing can enhance wound healing efficacy. Herein, we installed nanocoated-probiotics into hydrogel dressings for improved wound healing efficacy.

The single-cell nanoencapsulation (SCNE) technique using tannic acid-Fe(III) complex was utilized to coat the individual probiotics. Two model probiotics, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus brevis, were selected owing to their positive effects on skin health.

Hydrogel dressings loaded with probiotics were composed of mannitol and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) at a weight ratio of 2:10, exhibiting superior swelling capacity and solid elastic properties. The thin coated layers on the individual probiotics demonstrated enhanced protection of bacterial viability against freeze-thaw cycles, which is crucial for fabricating probiotics-loaded hydrogel dressings. In vivo transdermal wound healing tests revealed that the hydrogel dressings loaded with coated probiotics showed superior wound healing efficacy compared to those loaded with non-coated probiotics.

Our results not only contribute to the improvement of wound dressing formulations, but also inspire to development of new dosage forms with coated functional microorganisms using the SCNE technique.