Development of Antibacterial Hydrogels Based on Biopolymer Aloe Vera/Gelatin/Sodium Alginate Composited With SM-AgNPs Loaded Curcumin-Nanoliposomes.

Abstract

To address the rising prevalence of bacterial infections and the need for innovative therapeutic solutions, this study has developed a novel antibacterial hydrogel composite composed of Aloe vera, gelatin, sodium alginate, and Sterculia monosperma-silver nanoparticles (SM-AgNPs) loaded curcumin-nanoliposomes (NLPs). The aloe vera/gelatin/sodium alginate hydrogels (AGS) are prepared using different weight ratios of Aloe vera, gelatin, and sodium alginate, aiming to optimize mechanical properties and biocompatibility for biomedical applications. The incorporation of SM-AgNPs and curcumin-loaded NLPs enhanced the hydrogels' antibacterial properties. Characterizations of the hydrogels are performed by using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. Additional examinations, such as water absorption analysis, rheology measurements, thermal stability, and injectability, along with pH and temperature responsiveness, are also conducted. The AGS-3 hydrogel formulation, with a 1:5:3 ratio of Aloe vera to gelatin to sodium alginate, exhibited significant performance in all tests, making it suitable for further experiments. Furthermore, antimicrobial activity assays showed that AGS hydrogels containing SM-AgNPs/NLP composites effectively inhibited the growth of both gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) and gram-negative Escherichia coli (E.coli) bacteria. These results indicate that the SM-AgNPs/NLP-AGS hydrogel is a promising material for biomedical applications including wound healing, infection prevention, and targeted drug delivery.