Preparation and characterisation of decellularised porcine tunica vaginalis-based hydrogels for wound healing application

Hydrogels, with extracellular matrix (ECM) like properties, support tissue regeneration by maintaining moisture and oxygen diffusion. In this study, a hydrogel was developed from decellularised porcine tunica vaginalis (DPTV) blended with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and crosslinked using ferric chloride for wound healing applications. The DPTV was prepared by subjecting porcine tunica vaginalis to a sequential decellularisation with enzymatic and detergent treatments, followed by homogenisation, lyophilisation, and blending with CMC to produce pre-gel suspensions. Four hydrogel formulations (HG50, HG60, HG70, and HG80) with varying DPTV to CMC ratios were prepared and further evaluated for physical properties such as colour, texture, transparency, consistency, gel fraction, and water absorption per cent and topography. Results revealed that HG60 exhibited the most balanced characteristics with an adequate gel fraction (88.7) ensuring mechanical stability, a favourable water absorption percent (76.4) supporting moisture retention and a spongy architecture by scanning electron microscopy for water absorption. Thus, we developed a formulation that exhibited good water-holding capacity which results in better absorption of exudates and structural stability for wound healing applications. The findings warrant evaluation in pre-clinical models to test the efficacy of DPTVCMC hydrogels as bioactive wound dressing for accelerating tissue repair and regeneration for potential wound healing application.