Multifunctional pH-Responsive Gelatin/Agarose Hydrogels Incorporating Gum Arabic for Wound Repair

This study aims to develop pH-sensitive GelAgar-GA hydrogels composed of Gum Arabic (GA)-incorporated gelatin and agarose for wound healing applications. Our results reveal that the agarose content modulates the structural, chemical, physical, and biological properties of hydrogels. Noticeably, the hydrogel containing 3 wt% agarose (GelAgar-GA-3) shows optimized characteristics, including superior elastic modulus (186 ± 12 kPa) and tensile strength (173 ± 12 kPa), mimicking the mechanical properties of native skin. The swelling ability of this hydrogel is modulated via pH changes. Noticeably, the water absorption capacity of GelAgar-GA-3 at pH = 5 is 247 ± 47%, which increases to 327±45% at pH = 9. GelAgar-GA hydrogels also indicate significant coagulation ability, low hemolysis (<5%), and decreased bleeding compared to the control. In vitro studies reveal that GelAgar-GA hydrogel could accelerate the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts and shows significant antibacterial activity, following doxycycline encapsulation (GelAgar-GA-3(Dox)). In vivo studies on a rat model also show 99% wound closure in full-thickness wounds treated with GelAgar-GA-3(Dox), attributed to the reduced inflammatory response and promoted vascular remodeling, maturation, and collagen deposition, thereby resulting in accelerated wound repair. In summary, these results demonstrate that the GelAgar-GA-3(Dox) is a favorable system for wound healing applications.