Innovative silk fibroin-flax nanocomposite hydrogels: A drug-loaded system for potential wound dressing applications

Chronic wounds pose significant therapeutic challenges due to their inability to heal and their susceptibility to infections. Silk fibroin (SF)/flax (FL)-based nanocomposite hydrogels, along with copper nanoparticles (Cu) and curcumin (Cur), have been developed in this study as wound-healing accelerators. Three nanocomposite hydrogels, made by mixing SF and FL at a ratio of 20:80, 30:70, and 50:50, were optimized by enhancing biological activity and mechanical properties. The 30SF/70FL showed the highest values of tensile strength (13.17 ± 0.66 MPa) and excellent cytocompatibility with fibroblasts. Controlled Cur drug release followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, with 70% being released via diffusion within 50 minutes. Antimicrobial tests demonstrated inhibition zones of 14 to 16 mm for E. coli . The incorporation of Cu and Cur into nanocomposite hydrogels increased hydrophilicity (contact angle: 29.8°) and water retention capability. Biodegradation studies further showed hydrogel dissolution within 24 days in PBS. In summary, these results indicate that SF/FL/Cu/Cur hydrogels possess significant potential as promising candidates for next-generation biodegradable wound dressings, thereby combining good mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and controlled drug-release mechanisms.