Investigating the effective features of chitosan alginate hydrogel wound dressing containing Hypericum scabrum plant extract.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the development of a chitosan-alginate hydrogel wound dressing enriched with Hypericum scabrum extract due to its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Natural polymer-based hydrogels are ideal for wound healing due to their biocompatibility and capacity for controlled drug delivery.

Methods: Methanolic, ethanolic, and aqueous extracts of H. scabrum were evaluated for antioxidant and phenolic content. Cytotoxicity was assessed using MTT assay, and antimicrobial activity was determined by MIC testing. Physicochemical properties, including swelling, drug release, porosity (SEM), and molecular interactions (FTIR), were analysed.

Results: The methanolic extract showed the highest antioxidant activity (95.41%) and phenolic content (118 mg GAE/g). It was non-toxic up to 1000 ppm (73.6% cell viability). When loaded into the hydrogel, MIC decreased from 6.25 mg to 0.781 mg. The hydrogel showed a swelling ratio of 4016.6%, 80% drug release in 48 hours, reduced porosity (32.26% to 11.59%), and confirmed chitosan-alginate interactions via FTIR.

Discussion: The hydrogel formulation demonstrates strong antimicrobial, antioxidant, and biocompatible properties, making it a promising wound dressing. To improve the manuscript, more detailed methodology, statistical support for cytotoxicity, enhanced FTIR visualisation, and inclusion of recent literature and mechanistic discussion are recommended.