Abstract

HEALING NATURALLY: SMART HYDROGEL DRESSINGS POWERED BY HERBAL EXTRACTS

Vedangi Arvind Kulkarni*, Mayur Gulab Kharat, Mukta P. Joshi, Shatrughna Uttam Nagrik, Dr. Shivshankar D. Mhaske

ABSTRACT

Wound management continues to be a significant clinical problem, particularly in cases of chronic inflammation, infection, and impaired tissue regeneration. Traditional dressings tend to provide passive mechanical barrier, as opposed to the bioactive properties needed to promote healing. Hydrogel-based wound dressings now show great promise as new materials for wounds because of their biocompatibility, capability to retain moisture and the ability to control drug delivery. The current study is an investigation to create a smart hydrogel dressing containing plant extracts (Tridax procumbens, turmeric (Curcuma longa), and aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis miller) which have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant qualities. The hydrogel matrix was designed with biopolymer base materials and mixed with standardized extracts. Physicochemical properties, swelling, and release kinetics were characterized. In vitro studies included antimicrobial ability against Staphylococcus aureus andEscherichia coli and cytocompatibility with human dermal fibroblasts. In vivo wound healing studies were conducted in an excisional wound rodent model to measure re-epithelialization, collagen deposition, and inflammation throughout 14 days. The early results suggest the herbal enriched hydrogel dressing has the ability to enhance wound closure and reduce microbial loads and consequently enhanced tissue regeneration compared to control groups. This may mean that plant-based bioactives may be synergistically used to enhance the therapeutic effects.

Keywords: Tridax procumbens, Curcuma longa, Aloe barbadensis miller, Wound healing, Hydrogel, Mechanism of action.