Food-Derived Tripeptide-Copper Hydrogel Accelerates Healing of Infected Wounds.

Infected wounds, particularly chronic ones, pose a significant global health challenge due to complex pathophysiology, susceptibility to biofilm formation, and increasing antibiotic resistance. Traditional wound care often struggles with sustained antimicrobial action, effective tissue regeneration, and maintaining a moist healing environment. Many existing treatments also lack self-healing capabilities, crucial for continuous therapeutic delivery. This study addresses these critical gaps by developing a novel, biocompatible, and self-healing hydrogel from food-grade tripeptides and copper, aiming to simultaneously combat infection and accelerate tissue repair.