In Vitro Evaluation of a Gelatin Type A/PVA Hydrogel Functionalized with Roasted Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)

Hydrogels are versatile biomaterials for controlled drug delivery and tissue regeneration due to their biocompatibility and tunable degradation. Hydrogel was synthesized with a gelatin type A/polyvinyl alcohol functionalized with aqueous extract of roasted green tea (10% w/v) and evaluated its physiobiological performance in vitro. Degradation was assessed under enzymatic (collagenase II, trypsin) and hydrolytic conditions; swelling was performed with distilled water, cytocompatibility was tested on human periodontal ligament stem cells by MTT; antibacterial activity was measured against Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. The hydrogel showed complete hydrolytic degradation within 60 min and enzymatic degradation within 70 min, the hydrogel increased its mass by approximately 6.3 times relative weight, reached its maximum swelling in the range of 478-537%, (19% for the experimental group), while maintaining PDLSC viability (>80%). It exhibited significant antibacterial activity (inhibition: S. aureus 78.6%, S. mutans 67.4%, E. coli 73.2%). Importantly, in osteogenic medium, the hydrogel enhanced osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs, evidenced by increased calcium deposition and positive Alizarin Red staining versus controls. These data position the gelatin/PVA/roasted green tea hydrogel as a bioactive, resorbable candidate for dental applications-particularly as an antimicrobial dressing and adjunct for periodontal bone regeneration material.