A new efficient skin dressing based on sodium alginate − graphene oxide bionanocomposite hydrogel to expedite wound healing process

Abstract

Wound management remains challenging due to the complex and multi-stage nature of healing process, making the selection of appropriate dressings critical for preventing infection and promoting tissue regeneration. In this study, an alginate–graphene oxide–mupirocin bionanocomposite hydrogel was developed as a multifunctional skin dressing to accelerate wound healing and provide antibacterial protection. The process involved the synthesis of graphene oxide followed by the preparation of graphene oxide and mupirocin-loaded sodium alginate hydrogels. Comprehensive structural characterizations were carried out using DLS, FTIR, FE-SEM, XRD, and TGA techniques. The hydrogel exhibited a highly porous structure, favorable for drug loading and water uptake, and demonstrated structural stability over a six-month storage period. Physicochemical and biological properties including swelling behavior, mechanical integrity, sustained drug release (up to 52 h), antibacterial activity, hemocompatibility, and cytocompatibility were systematically evaluated. The hydrogel effectively inhibited Staphylococcus aureus growth in vitro. Biocompatibility was confirmed through cell viability assays using L929 mouse fibroblasts and HU02 human fibroblasts, while hemocompatibility was assessed via hemolysis testing. In vivo studies demonstrated that the hydrogel markedly enhanced wound closure, attenuated inflammation, and facilitated tissue regeneration, resulting in complete healing within 16 days. These results highlight the potential of this bionanocomposite hydrogel as a promising platform for advanced wound care applications.