Poly (-vinyl alcohol) and sodium alginate foam wound dressing loaded with propolis and vitamin A: biological activity and biocompatibility

Propolis is rich in polyphenols with healing, antioxidant, bactericidal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin A plays a crucial role in epidermal differentiation and maturation, as well as in promoting angiogenesis and cellular recruitment. The use of polymeric wound dressings containing bioactive substances offers an advantageous strategy for treating wounds. In this study, we developed three types of poly (vinyl alcohol) and sodium alginate wound dressings (in ratios of 100:0, 75:25, and 50:50, v) containing propolis and vitamin A. We also evaluated two different methods of propolis extraction and their biological properties in combination with vitamin A. The wound dressings were fabricated using freeze-drying and crosslinked with glutaraldehyde. Biocompatibility tests were conducted on both the wound dressings and their components. Among the extraction methods, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of propolis was more efficient than maceration, yielding higher amounts of polyphenols. The UAE extract was particularly rich in rutin (26.4 mg/g) and quercetin (17.21 mg/g), exhibiting strong antioxidant activity. Both propolis extracts were tested against bacteria, but only the UAE extract was effective against all bacterial strains tested. The addition of vitamin A did not interfere with the biological activities of propolis. The wound dressings developed in this study hold potential for the treatment of wounds, preventing bacterial infections, and are expected to promote faster healing due to the combined effects of vitamin A and polyphenols.