Development of a Multifunctional Hydrogel Coloaded with Chitosan-Curcumin and Silver Nanoparticles: Fabrication,...

Chronic wounds pose significant clinical challenges due to microbial infections, excessive inflammation, and delayed wound healing. For this purpose, we developed a multifunctional self-healing conductive hydrogel loaded with gelatin (type A) capped silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and curcumin-embedded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (CCANPs) to enhance antibacterial activity to enhance wound healing. AgNPs were synthesized via green synthesis using Syzygium samarangense leaf extract, demonstrating potent antibacterial properties. Curcumin, encapsulated in hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) and chitosan-coated BSA nanoparticles (355.8 ± 9.45 nm size, 87.83% entrapment efficiency), exhibited pH-dependent sustained release (81.65% at pH 1.2, 70.84% at pH 7.4 over 24 h). These nanoparticles were incorporated into a PVA/PEG/polyaniline (PANI) hydrogel (F2 formulation: 15% PVA, 10% PEG, 2.5% PANI), which showed optimal swelling (110.26 ± 1.09%) and gel fraction (99.18 ± 0.08%). The hydrogel exhibited excellent mechanical flexibility (372.5% elongation) and viscoelastic solid-like behavior (G' > G″). The in vitro antimicrobial assays revealed synergistic effects against Staphylococcus aureus (33-35 mm inhibition zone) and Escherichia coli (27-31 mm), surpassing blank hydrogel controls. The drug release studies confirmed prolonged release kinetics (0.37% curcumin, 9.99% AgNPs over 24 h), ideal for chronic wound management, as a sustained release profile is achieved. This dual-nanoparticle-loaded conductive hydrogel can expedite tissue regeneration and cell proliferation. Its high biocompatibility, moisture retention, and antibacterial capabilities contribute to the healing of chronic and infected wounds.