An unexpected role of an extra phenolic hydroxyl on the chemical reactivity and bioactivity of catechol or gallol modified hyaluronic acid hydrogels

We present here a new insight into the chemical reactivity and bioactivity of dopamine (DA) and gallic acid (GA) and their hyaluronic acid (HA) conjugates. Our data suggest that HA–GA scaffolds are superior to HA–DA, with higher oxidation kinetics, improved tissue adhesive properties, and radical scavenging ability with a lower pro-inflammatory response.