Design and Development of Advanced Biocompatible Hydrogels for Burn Wound Healing Applications

Burn wound healing poses a significant medical challenge and remains a critical global health concern, necessitating innovative approaches to improve treatment outcomes. The rising prevalence of burn injuries emphasizes the pressing need for advanced wound dressings capable of providing antimicrobial protection, maintaining a moist healing environment, and effectively managing exudative fluids. Hydrogels are particularly notable for their biocompatibility, sustainability, and multifunctionality and have emerged as promising materials to meet these requirements. This study focuses on the development of novel hydrogels using acetic acid (AA) and gelatin as base materials, supplemented with functional additives such as chitosan (CS), selenium (SE), Ag (Ag) nanopowders, Cu (Cu) nanopowders, and natural bioactive compounds including almond oil, neem oil, propolis, and vitamins A and C. The study involves hydrogel preparation, comprehensive characterization, and functional performance evaluation. The hydrogels were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) employed to investigate the chemical, thermal, and crystalline properties. Swelling behavior and drug release kinetics were analyzed to assess their moisture retention capacity and healing agent release capabilities, while biocompatibility was assessed using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assays to determine cytotoxicity and cell viability at varying concentrations. The results demonstrated that SE-AA-based hydrogels exhibited superior cell viability and biocompatibility, effectively supporting tissue regeneration, cellular attachment, and growth. This study highlights the potential of multifunctional hydrogels as advanced wound dressings, offering a significant advancement in burn wound healing applications. These findings pave the way for the development of next-generation hydrogels tailored to enhance clinical outcomes and improve the quality of life for burn patients.