

Biopolymer-based hydrogels have several advantages, including robust mechanical tunability, high biocompatibility, and excellent optical properties. These hydrogels can be ideal wound dressing materials and advantageous to repair and regenerate skin wounds. In this work, we prepared composite hydrogels by blending gelatin and graphene oxide-functionalized bacterial cellulose (GO-f-BC) with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). The hydrogels were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), and water contact angle analyses to explore functional groups and their interactions, surface morphology, and wetting behavior, respectively. The swelling, biodegradation, and water retention were tested to respond to the biofluid. Maximum swelling was exhibited by GBG-1 (0.01 mg GO amount) in all media (aqueous = 1902.83%, PBS = 1546.63%, and electrolyte = 1367.32%). All hydrogels were hemocompatible, as their hemolysis was less than 0.5%, and blood coagulation time decreased as the hydrogel concentration and GO amount increased under in vitro standard conditions. These hydrogels exhibited unusual antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. The cell viability and proliferation were increased with an increased GO amount, and maximum values were found for GBG-4 (0.04 mg GO amount) against fibroblast (3T3) cell lines. The mature and well-adhered cell morphology of 3T3 cells was found for all hydrogel samples. Based on all findings, these hydrogels would be a potential wound dressing skin material for wound healing applications. © 2023 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.
| Funding sponsor | Funding number | Acronym |
|---|---|---|
| Qatar National Research Fund | QNRF | |
| Horizon 2020 Framework Programme See opportunities by H2020 | 951747,NPRP 12S -0310-190276 | H2020 |
| Horizon 2020 Framework Programme See opportunities by H2020 | H2020 |
We are grateful to the European Union’s Horizon to support the research project. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement no. 951747 and acknowledge the NPRP award [NPRP 12S -0310-190276] from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of The Qatar Foundation). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors.
Hassan, R.; Orthodontic Unit, School of Dental Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Kubang Kerian, Malaysia;
Anand, T.J.S.; Sustainable and Responsive Manufacturing Group, Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Hang Tuah Jaya, Malacca, Melaka, Malaysia;
Hasan, A.; Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar;
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