Pumpkin Oil/<scp>MgO</scp>—(Hydroxyethyl Cellulose‐Acrylamide) Nanocomposite Hydrogels as Potential Wound Dressings: Radiation Synthesis, Characterization, and Biological Appraisals

ABSTRACT Gamma‐irradiation technology for crosslinking and sterilization was used for the synthesis of novel bioactive dressings based on hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), acrylamide (AAm), and carbopol (Cp), supplemented with MgO NPs and pumpkin oil (PKO). MgO NPs were synthesized using the precipitation method and characterized using XRD, EDX, and FTIR analysis. The TEM technique confirmed the development of cubic MgO NPs with an average size between 28 and 52 nm. Incorporating MgO NPs slightly decreases the gelation degree and enhances the water uptake. The fluid absorption capacity of the PKO‐(HEC‐AAm‐Cp)‐MgO dressings was enhanced and found in the following order: water &gt; saline &gt; PECF in 24 h. The dressings showed adequate porosity and moisture retention rate. PKO‐(HEC‐AAm‐Cp)‐7% MgO nanocomposite dressings demonstrate efficient antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus , Klebsiella pneumoniae , and Candida albicans . The MTT assay confirmed the biocompatibility of the dressings. The effectiveness of wound healing was assessed using a rat model. The wounded rat groups treated with PKO‐(HEC‐AAm‐Cp)‐MgO dressings showed faster wound healing with improved biochemical parameters and histological assessment than the control group. STAT3, PDGF, FGF, and miR‐31 showed a significant increase on day 14 than on day 7 ( p &lt; 0.05). These findings confirmed that PKO‐(HEC‐AAm‐Cp)‐MgO dressings have promising potential as wound treatment candidates.