Preparation of physically crosslinked PVA/HLC/SA hydrogel and exploration of its effects on full-thickness skin defects

In this study, single factor experiments and orthogonal test were designed to fabricate a novel poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), human-like collagen (HLC) and sodium alginate (SA) composite hydrogel as wound dressings. The obtained hydrogel dressing was soft, elastic and breathable with uniform macro pores, and it remains soft after lyophilization which restore to the original appearance after absorbing a large amount of water. In vivo full-thickness skin defects treated with the hydrogel dressings in rabbit revealed that the hydrogel promoted wound healing through accelerating reepithelization and the growth of collagen fibers. All the results demonstrated the great potential of the hydrogel as wound dressing.