Vitamin E incorporated in Carboxymethyl Cellulose-Gelatin Hydrogel Increases Wound Healing

Improving wound care products to facilitate effective skin repair is very important. Hydrogels are promising polymer-based dressings that enhance wound healing. Vitamin E can improve skin injuries by increasing antioxidant capacity. This study aimed to construct an innovative hydrogel from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and gelatin (Gel) containing vitamin E to enhance wound healing. Five unique hydrogel formulations were constructed by combination of CMC-Gel and 25, 50, 100, and 200 µL/mL of Vitamin E. Structural characteristics of hydrogels were assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Biochemical properties of hydrogels, including swelling, weight loss, pH values, and blood compatibility, were evaluated by specific methods. The cytotoxicity effects of hydrogels on the NIH-3T3 fibroblasts were determined by MTT assay. The therapeutic potential of the hydrogels was investigated using a full-thickness wound model in Wistar rats. The constructed CMC-Gel-Vit E hydrogel had a porous structure characterized by interconnected voids measuring 73.15±9.61 µm, which is favorable for promoting cell migration. The cytotoxicity results showed no toxicity effects of hydrogels with and without VitE 100 µL/mL, also a survival rate of over 120% in cells after 72 h. In vivo data showed the CMC-Gel-Vit E hydrogel (91.36±8.23%) significantly increased the percentage of wound closure and re-epithelialization compared to the control group (68.31±13.59%). The results highlight the considerable potential of the CMC-Gel-VitE hydrogel as a viable option for skin regeneration and wound healing. This hydrogel exhibits substantial promise for use in clinical and therapeutic interventions.