objective:To prepare a composite photocrosslinked hydrogel containing zeolite imidazole framework-8(ZIF-8),and to evaluate its in vitro cytotoxicity,drug release capability,and antimicrobial propertie.Methods:The ZIF-8 particles were synthesized by hydrothermal method,and the microstructure characteristic was observed under scanning electron microscope(SEM).The particles were mixed with the gelatin methacryloyl(GelMA)with the mass fraction of 0.2%to obtain the composite hydrogel GelMA-Z.The atomic absorption spectroscope was used to detect the cumulative zinc ion(Zn2+)release amounts in GelMA-Z at different time points.The NIH-3T3 cells were co-cultured with GelMA-Z for 1,3,and 7 d;the viabilities of the cells in various groups were detected by CCK-8 assay;the GelMA-Z was co-cultured with Escherichia coli(E.coli)and Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus)for 6,12,and 24 h and divided into control group,GelMA group,and GelMA-Z group.The bacterial activities of the cells in various groups at different time points were detected by microplate reader;the bacterial formation and the presence of live/dead becterial staining condition were detected by plate antibacterial experiment and live/dead bacterial staining method.Results:The SEM observation results showed that the hydrothermally synthesized ZIF-8 particles had the uniform particle sizes.The atomic absorption spectroscope results showed that Zn2+ in GelMA-Z showed an initial burst phase within 1 d,followed by a slow release,and reached the equilibrium around 7 d.Compared with control group,the viabilities the cells in GelMA group and GelMA-Z group were above 90%on the 1st,3rd,and 7th days,but there was no significant difference(P>0.05).The bacterial activity detection results showed that when co-cultured with bacteria for 6,12,and 24 h,compared with control group and GelMA group,the bacterial activities of the E.coli and S.aureus in GelMA-Z group were decreased(P<0.05).The plate antibacterial experiment results showed that the number of bacterial formation in GelMA-Z group was fewer than those in control group and GelMA group.The live/dead bacterial staining results showed that in GelMA-Z group,there was a large number of red fluorescence stained dead bacteria;in control group and GelMA group,there was a large number of green fluorescence stained live bacteria.Conclusion:The GelMA hydrogel loaded with ZIF-8 particles can achieve the in situ photocrosslinking and possesses good Zn2+ release capability and antimicrobial activity,and it is a novel hydrogel dressing for treatment of the infected wounds.