Preparation and Characterization of an Antibacterial Hydrogel Dressing Rich in Camel Milk and Vitamin B6

The global rise in obesity contributes to an increased prevalence of diabetes and a higher incidence of chronic wounds that are difficult to heal and often do not respond adequately to conventional treatments. This underscores the need for advanced wound-healing strategies. In this study, we designed and fabricated a novel three-layer hydrogel dressing based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), cross-linked with borax, and enriched with freeze-dried camel milk and vitamin B6. We prepared the hydrogels by dissolving PVA and borax in water, incorporating bioactive additives, and sequentially assembling individual layers. We evaluated the hydrogels for antibacterial activity using agar diffusion assays, cytocompatibility with human keratinocytes (NHEK), and mechanical and thermal properties. The results demonstrated that the PVA/borax hydrogel matrix exhibited inherent antibacterial activity that could be modulated by the addition of camel milk and vitamin B6. Certain formulations showed selective efficacy against the tested strains, and hydrogels containing bioactive components supported higher cell viability and exhibited favorable mechanical stability and water-retention characteristics. These findings suggest that the composite dressing developed combines antimicrobial properties with multifunctional bioactivity and structural integrity, supporting its potential as a comprehensive therapeutic system for managing diabetic wounds and justifying further preclinical investigations toward clinical application.