Antioxidant and antibacterial PU/ZnS@Keratin mats with H2S and Zn2+ release for infected diabetic wound healing.

Diabetic wound healing is often hampered by persistent oxidative stress, poor angiogenesis, and bacterial infections. Herein, ZnS/keratin nanoclusters(ZnS@Ker) were first synthesized using the ion diffusion method based on chelation between keratin and metal ions, achieving the controlled release of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and Zn2+ ions. These nanoclusters were then co-electrospun with polyurethane (PU) to afford PU/ZnS@Ker mats. These mats demonstrated acidic responsive release of Zn2+ and H2S under an infected wound microenvironment, fostering cell adhesion, migration, and angiogenesis while effectively combating bacterial infection and scavenging reactive oxygen species. Notably, in vivo wound healing studies in diabetic rats revealed that PU/ZnS@Ker mats promoted collagen deposition and tissue regeneration, thereby accelerating wound healing. Taken together, PU/ZnS@Ker biocomposite mats emerge as an up-and-coming solution for managing diabetic wound healing.