Alginate‐Chitosan Hydrogel Loaded With Chrysin, Curcumin, and Montmorillonite for Wound Healing Applications

Abstract

ABSTRACT Hydrogel dressings, known for their high water content, have gained attention as modern wound dressings. Natural hydrogels like alginate and chitosan exhibit excellent biocompatibility, non‐toxicity, and biodegradability. However, limitations such as poor mechanical stability, inconsistent drug release, and inadequate antibacterial activity hinder their application. This study aims to develop an optimized alginate‐chitosan hydrogel incorporating chrysin, curcumin, and montmorillonite. While previous studies have explored the synergistic effects of the components in pairs or smaller combinations, this study integrates them into a single dressing to address individual limitations and amplify their collective efficacy. Hydrogels were prepared via ionic gelation using alginate, chitosan, chrysin, curcumin, and montmorillonite. Characterization utilized scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and assessments included encapsulation efficiency, drug loading, in vitro drug release, cytotoxicity, antibacterial activity, and wound healing via scratch assay. Statistical analysis was performed using an independent t‐test, with significance at p < 0.05. The hydrogel beads were non‐toxic to HaCaT cells. Chrysin and curcumin significantly enhanced antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Montmorillonite improved drug encapsulation and facilitated sustained drug release, enhancing antibacterial efficacy. The chrysin‐curcumin‐montmorillonite‐loaded alginate‐chitosan hydrogel improved mechanical stability, antibacterial properties, and enhanced drug release, making it a promising candidate for advanced wound care applications.