Shape-recoverable chitosan/sodium alginate aerogels with sustained oxygen release and antibacterial activity for diabetic wound healing.

Wounds in diabetic patients are often inhibited in angiogenesis and extracellular matrix synthesis due to insufficient oxygen supply, leading to prolonged healing time. Although oxygen therapy has been shown to promote the healing of chronic wounds, its therapeutic effectiveness remains limited by high costs, complex procedures, and a lack of sustainability. In this study, we developed an aerogel composed of chitosan (CS), sodium alginate (SA), and calcium peroxide (CPO). These aerogels can absorb wound exudate and release oxygen upon contact, providing continuous oxygen delivery for over five days. The freeze-dried aerogels are soft and exhibit shape recovery properties, which facilitate enhanced oxygen transport. Furthermore, the CS/SA-CPO aerogel demonstrated strong antioxidant activity, excellent biocompatibility, and potent antibacterial properties (exceeding 99.99 %). In vivo experiments indicated that the CS/SA-CPO aerogel promotes wound healing by continuously releasing oxygen, accelerating collagen deposition, and enhancing re-epithelialization, ultimately achieving 99.65 % wound closure within 21 days. This innovative approach offers a promising strategy for managing chronic, hypoxic diabetic wounds.