An in silico designed peptide-loaded hydrogel is able to accelerate the healing of bacteria-infected wounds in mice

Managing wound infections is a vital part of medical practice. Bacterial infections in wounds very often lead to inflammation, which can harm healthy cells, tissues, and organs, impeding tissue repair. Therefore, managing inflammatory reactions in wounds is crucial for promoting healing. In this study, for wound treatment, an in silico designed peptide KCR20 was used to neutralize the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin 1β (IL-1β). This peptide also exhibited bactericidal properties without cytotoxic effects on mammals. The peptide was further loaded into Pluronic F127 hydrogel, and this peptide-loaded hydrogel (KCR20-F127) was then applied to wounds infected with multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) in mice. The KCR20-F127 can expedite the healing process of wounds infected with drug-resistant bacteria. Mathematical modeling indicated that the Korsmeyer-Peppas model best describes the drug release behavior of the KCR20-F127. This study demonstrates that the KCR20–F127 is potentially a promising dressing material for managing infected wounds.