Natural Polymer-Based Adhesive Film for Rapid Wound Healing: <i>In Vitro</i> and <i>In Vivo</i> Approach Ensuring Antibacterial, Anti-inflammatory, and Hemostatic Profiles

Treatment of wounds remain a vital aspect in present day healthcare which requires modern and efficient techniques. Polymeric film-based wound dressings have emerged as a promising tool due to their biocompatibility, swelling, and moist nature. Further integration of functional drugs provides greater benefits, like simvastatin, which has inherent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory potencies. In this regard, simvastatin incorporated in the polymeric matrix of gum odina and pectin, cross-linked by calcium chloride powered by microwave irradiation hydrogel film for wound healing following the egg box mechanism, was developed. The optimized film (F3) exhibited superior swelling and adhesive behavior. It has shown potent antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties along with good blood compatibility. F3 was also biocompatible and allowed cellular migration in L929 cell lines. The <i>in vivo</i> experiment depicted F3 as a potent dressing for burn wounds allowing accelerated healing and also demonstrated rapid hemostasis in tail amputation and liver incision models. From the above potentialities listed, the research provides a highly efficient and uncomplicated process of film synthesis by repurposing the lipid lowering drug simvastatin, making it an intriguing selection in the case of wound healing applications.