Composite Hydrogel Dressing with Drug-Release Capability and Enhanced Mechanical Performance

Wound care is a critical concern due to the rising prevalence of chronic and infected wounds, which demands improved treatment solutions. Conventional dressings often fall short in delivering effective drug release and mechanical performance, limiting their clinical utility. In this study, we present a composite hydrogel dressing incorporating berberine-loaded silk fibroin microspheres and <i>Calotropis gigantea</i> fibers (CGFs). This innovative dressing achieves sustained drug release and enhanced mechanical strength. The hydrogel exhibits excellent antibacterial activity (97.40 ± 0.53%) against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, efficient drug loading, and prolonged release profiles. The addition of CGFs significantly enhances mechanical performance (maximum compressive strength of 295.74 ± 27.45 kPa), hemostatic efficiency (0.33%), and adaptability to dynamic wound environments. Our composite hydrogel dressing demonstrates superior biocompatibility and accelerates wound healing by promoting neovascularization, hair follicle regeneration, and collagen deposition. This multifunctional solution offers a promising advancement in next-generation wound care technologies.