Bioactive chitosan/polycaprolactone cryogel sponge co-loaded with ciprofloxacin and ginger for controlled drug release and healing of infected wounds

• A dual-action chitosan lactate/polycaprolactone cryogel sponge loaded with ciprofloxacin and ginger extract was developed for infected wound healing. • The engineered cryogel showed high porosity, superior mechanical properties, and sustained, controlled drug release. • Dual-drug incorporation enabled pH-responsive release, potent antibacterial activity, and excellent cytocompatibility. • Accelerated wound closure with enhanced re-epithelialization, collagen deposition, and angiogenesis was observed in vivo. Bacterial infections remain a major challenge to effective wound healing, highlighting the need for multifunctional dressings with both antibacterial and regenerative properties. Here, we report the development of a ciprofloxacin (CIP)- and ginger extract-loaded chitosan lactate/polycaprolactone (Chit/PCL) cryogel sponge for the treatment of Escherichia coli-infected wounds. Cryogel sponges were fabricated through in situ chemical crosslinking followed by cryogelation and freeze-drying, with ciprofloxacin and ginger extract incorporated during the blending stage to ensure homogeneous distribution within the polymeric network. The synergistic antibacterial and pro-healing effects of CIP and ginger extract were integrated within a porous, mechanically robust Chit/PCL matrix. Among different formulations, Chit60/PCL40 exhibited the highest porosity (80 ± 3 %), moderate hydrophilicity (contact angle: 63.5 ± 2.2°), and enhanced compressive strength (0.40 ± 0.03 MPa), providing a balanced structural–biological profile. Controlled release of both CIP and ginger extract ensured sustained antibacterial efficacy, while in vitro fibroblast assays confirmed cytocompatibility. Notably, in vivo studies using E. coli -infected rat models demonstrated significantly accelerated wound closure with Chit60/PCL40/CIP/Ginger compared to controls. Overall, this multifunctional cryogel serves as a dual-action wound dressing, combining infection control with tissue regeneration, and holds strong potential for advanced wound care applications.