Enhanced skin wound healing using CNC-g-β-glucan/poly(acrylic acid) composite hydrogels: A biocompatible and...

In this study, composite hydrogel scaffolds of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and β-glucan with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) were synthesized, and their effects on accelerating skin wound healing were investigated. CNC was extracted from hardwood and β-glucan from oat flour, and after chemical crosslinking and photopolymerization, CNC-g-β-glucan/PAA composite hydrogels were prepared. The scaffolds' biological properties were evaluated using MTT assay, in vitro degradation in simulated wound fluid, DAPI staining, FESEM analysis, histological examinations, and immunofluorescence in an animal model. Biocompatibility results indicated that scaffolds containing β-glucan (particularly samples S2 and S3) showed the highest cell viability compared to other groups (p < 0.01). Degradation studies revealed a relatively rapid degradation profile. Moreover, in wound healing assessment, these scaffolds significantly increased epidermal thickness, reduced inflammatory cells, and enhanced the expression of bioactive markers including Col-1, VEGF, and TGF-β. FESEM observations also revealed proper fibroblast spreading and favorable adhesion on the scaffold surface. Overall, the data suggest that incorporating β-glucan into the CNC network improves biological and regenerative performance, likely mediated in part by its immunomodulatory activity, making CNC-g-β-glucan/PAA scaffolds a promising option for wound healing and skin tissue engineering applications.