Development of multifunctional agar/κ-carrageenan/kaolinite hydrogels: Role of tetracycline and marshmallow extract...

This study introduces an innovative CAK hydrogel composite enhanced with tetracycline (TC) and Althaea Officinalis Extract (AOE), designed to address key challenges in wound dressing applications. The novelty lies in the hydrogel's unique dual-drug incorporation and micelle-based delivery approach, which significantly improves drug release control and mechanical properties. Incorporation of bioactive AOE and optimization using Triton X - 100 at its critical micelle concentration (CMC) lead to distinct structural transformations, such as spherical aperture formation and matrix expansion, enabling superior swelling and controlled drug release behavior. Advanced modeling, including the Korsmeyer-Peppas and Higuchi models, reveals non-Fickian diffusion mechanisms, while Response Surface Methodology (RSM) identifies optimal hydrogel parameters, achieving substantial drug release over extended durations. Mechanical evaluations highlight the drug-loaded hydrogel's exceptional tensile strength, elasticity, and energy absorption, surpassing conventional formulations and offering a mechanically robust solution. Antibacterial testing further confirms its efficacy against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, supporting its potential as a next-generation wound dressing material.