Uncontrollable hemorrhage at traumatic injury sites presents a critical challenge, often aggravated by colonization of multidrug-resistant pathogens. Although the traditional wound dressings like hemostatic gauze, cotton, sealants, etc. finds their utility in surgical settings, are ineffective in massive bleeding austere environments, lacking antimicrobial properties and often themselves acts as a niche for microbial colonization. Towards this goal, herein, we have developed a novel antimicrobial hemostatic sponge by simple fabrication strategy coupling cellulose dialdehyde and gelatin through imine bond to form Cel-Gel composite. Further, to impart antimicrobial activity, an amphiphilic cationic macromolecule, ACM-A
Hex, is intercalated through electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions. The interconnected microporous structure facilitates excellent swelling and high fluid absorption, effectively sealing deep wounds and acting as a physical barrier to blood loss. Further, robust mechanical strength, excellent elasticity and shape memory properties enabling their application as a hemostatic plug for non-compressible, irregularly shaped wounds. The prepared sponge exhibits immediate blood clotting by concentrating and activating blood cells as well as stimulating both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of blood coagulation. The sponge demonstrates rapid and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against different drug-resistant bacteria and fungi, killing all the tested pathogens within 6h with >5 log reduction. In-vivo studies in mice models of liver puncture and femoral vein injury, showed instantaneous blood clotting and safe removal without further damage to the injured site. Most importantly, the sponges are biocompatible and significantly reduced bacterial burden (>95%) in MRSA wound infection model alongside diminishing inflammatory response in infected tissues. These findings highlight the potential of these hemostatic sponges as advanced wound dressing materials for both everyday use and clinical applications.
