Bio-based gelatin composites reinforced with aloe vera, eggshell protein, and loofah for enhanced wound healing

The integration of natural biopolymers into synthetic matrices offers a sustainable pathway for developing advanced wound dressing materials. This study reports the fabrication and in vitro evaluation of gelatin-based composite films reinforced with Aloe vera gel (AV), soluble eggshell membrane protein (SEP), and deacetylated loofah powder (LC). Seven formulations (S1-S7) were prepared to investigate the synergistic effects of these natural additives on structural, thermal, and biological performance. Morphological analysis via SEM revealed porous architectures in S3 and S4, promoting cellular adhesion. Thermal characterization revealed an increase in the glass transition temperature from 47 °C (pure gelatin) to 55 °C (S7) and a corresponding increase in the decomposition temperature from 216 °C to 258 °C. SEP addition led to a notable decrease in density (from 1.37 to 0.95 g/cm³) and degradation rate (from 5.36% to 1.99%). The swelling ratio increased significantly, reaching 417.06% in S7. All formulations were non-cytotoxic, exhibiting cell viability above 70%, with S7 achieving 92.46%. The scratch assay confirmed the highest wound closure rate (66.15%) in S1. These findings demonstrate that the combination of AV, SEP, and LC effectively enhances the functional properties of gelatin matrices, offering a biodegradable, cost-effective, and biocompatible alternative for next-generation wound dressings.