A sustainable carboxymethyl starch/PVA nanocomposite hydrogel with biogenic nZnO and Aloe vera for enhanced skin wound regeneration.

Wound healing remains a formidable biomedical challenge, often complicated by infection, dehydration, and delayed tissue regeneration. To address these challenges, a novel bio-composite hydrogel was synthesized, via a simple solution-casting method, using carboxymethyl starch, polyvinyl alcohol, and citric acid. The hydrogel was enriched with biogenic nano-zinc oxide (nZnO) and Aloe vera extract, both derived by green synthesis, using Citrus maxima peel and methanol, respectively. Structural integrity and functional performance of the hydrogel were characterised, using FTIR, XRD, FESEM, and antibacterial assays. The prepared bio-composite hydrogel exhibited excellent swelling (350%), gel fraction (81.35%), porosity (62%) and WVRT (2380 g/m2day), with tensile strength reaching 28.64 MPa, ensuring durability of the membrane. The incorporation of biogenic nZnO into the hydrogel produced strong antibacterial activity (ZOI: 28 mm for S. aureus, 21 mm for E. coli), while Aloe vera enhanced the flexibility and healing efficiency of the hydrogel. Cytotoxicity assays confirmed excellent cytocompatibility (>96% cell viability) with negligible hemolytic activity, while antioxidant evaluation showed 64.52% DPPH radical scavenging at 25 μg/mL. In vivo studies using a murine excision wound model revealed rapid wound healing, achieving 98% closure by day 12, accompanied by enhanced re-epithelialization and deposition of collagen. These results suggest that the developed bio-composite hydrogel membrane holds significant promise as a wound dressing material for effective wound management.