Enhanced dual-drug loaded κ-carrageenan/agar hydrogel films for wound dressing: Optimizing swelling and drug release

This study presents the development of antibacterial hydrogel films based on natural biopolymers, κ-carrageenan and agar, crosslinked with KCl for wound healing applications. The hydrogels were loaded with tetracycline (TC) and clove extract to enhance antimicrobial properties, while the addition of Triton X-100 (TX-100) improved drug solubility and bioavailability, leading to higher drug release rates. Swelling behavior was evaluated in distilled water (DW), simulated wound fluid (SWF), and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), with maximum swelling observed at 399 %, 222 %, and 124 %, respectively. Swelling kinetics followed pseudo-second-order and Korsmeyer-Peppas models, suggesting a Fickian diffusion mechanism. Drug release profiles were influenced by medium type and clove concentration, with the highest release observed in SWF at a clove concentration of 8 mg L^-1. Antimicrobial tests demonstrated significant inhibition of E. coli and S. aureus, supporting the hydrogel's potential for infection control in wounds. Mechanical analysis showed that the hydrogels could withstand a peak force of 438.364 g, while water vapor permeability tests suggested an optimal moisture environment conducive to healing. The developed hydrogel films have a high potential for wound care, combining enhanced drug release, effective antimicrobial activity, and mechanical durability.