Polylimonene Improves the In Vivo Wound Healing Performance of Sodium Alginate‐Based Hydrogels

ABSTRACT Efficient wound dressing materials must support tissue regeneration while modulating the oxidative environment. In this study, a photo‐crosslinked hydrogel based on methacrylated alginate (AlgMA) containing 3% (w/v) poly(limonene) (PLM) was developed to improve healing outcomes. PLM, a stable and non‐volatile antioxidant additive, was incorporated to overcome the limitations of limonene's volatility and instability. The hydrogel's efficacy was evaluated in vivo using an excisional wound model in rats and compared to unmodified AlgMA and commercial dressings (Sorbalgon and cotton gauze). Wound contraction was assessed through macroscopic imaging and quantitatively described using mathematical models. The AlgMA/PLM3% hydrogel exhibited the fastest healing dynamics, with a logistic rate constant of 0.63 day −1 and a half‐maximal healing time of 6.02 days, outperforming AlgMA (7.64 days), Sorbalgon (8.82 days), and gauze (10.78 days). Histological analysis confirmed superior re‐epithelialization, granulation tissue density, and dermal organization in the AlgMA/PLM3% group by Day 18. These results demonstrate that the incorporation of PLM into alginate hydrogels enhances wound healing by accelerating closure and promoting tissue organization, positioning PLM as a promising bioactive additive for acute wound care.