A conductive and thixotropic dual-network hydrogel based on Alyssum campestre seed gum and Matricaria chamomilla L....

Developing conductive hydrogels with balanced mechanical, electrical, and biological properties remains a major challenge for biomedical applications. In this study, a multifunctional conductive dual-network hydrogel was developed using Alyssum campestre seed gum (ACSG) and Matricaria chamomilla L. extract (CE). The hydrogel network was constructed by combining a chemically crosslinked polyacrylamide network with Mg²⁺-mediated physical interactions to form an interpenetrating dual-network structure. FTIR analysis indicated the incorporation of CE into the hydrogel matrix and suggested possible intermolecular interactions, while SEM observations revealed that CE produced a more compact porous microstructure with reduced pore size. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that incorporating CE did not adversely affect the hydrogel's thermal stability. The CE-containing hydrogel exhibited improved viscoelastic properties, including a higher storage modulus, an extended linear viscoelastic region, and rapid self-recovery during cyclic strain measurements. In addition, the CE-containing hydrogel exhibited ionic conductivities of (4.99 ± 0.78) × 10^-3 and (7.09 ± 1.60) × 10^-5 S cm^-1 in the freshly prepared and equilibrium-swollen (ESR) states, respectively. Furthermore, the hydrogels maintained high H9c2 cell metabolic activity (>90%) after 72 h. These findings demonstrate an effective strategy for tuning the structural, rheological, electrical, and biological properties of ACSG-based conductive dual-network hydrogels.