Bio-based gelatin composites reinforced with aloe vera, eggshell protein, and loofah for enhanced wound healing

The integration of natural biopolymers into synthetic matrices offers a sustainable pathway for developing advanced wound dressing materials. This study reports the fabrication and <i>in vitro</i> evaluation of gelatin-based composite films reinforced with <i>Aloe vera</i> gel (AV), soluble eggshell membrane protein (SEP), and deacetylated loofah powder (LC). Seven formulations (S1-S7) were prepared to investigate the synergistic effects of these natural additives on structural, thermal, and biological performance. Morphological analysis <i>via</i> SEM revealed porous architectures in S3 and S4, promoting cellular adhesion. Thermal characterization revealed an increase in the glass transition temperature from 47 °C (pure gelatin) to 55 °C (S7) and a corresponding increase in the decomposition temperature from 216 °C to 258 °C. SEP addition led to a notable decrease in density (from 1.37 to 0.95 g/cm³) and degradation rate (from 5.36% to 1.99%). The swelling ratio increased significantly, reaching 417.06% in S7. All formulations were non-cytotoxic, exhibiting cell viability above 70%, with S7 achieving 92.46%. The scratch assay confirmed the highest wound closure rate (66.15%) in S1. These findings demonstrate that the combination of AV, SEP, and LC effectively enhances the functional properties of gelatin matrices, offering a biodegradable, cost-effective, and biocompatible alternative for next-generation wound dressings.