Development and Evaluation of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Carboxymethyl Chitosan Hydrocolloid Incorporating <scp> <i>Cynodon dactylon</i> </scp> Extract and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle for Bedsore Healing in a Wistar Rat Model

ABSTRACT Pressure ulcers present a serious clinical challenge due to their impaired healing processes and increased risk of infection, particularly for immobilized patients. This study aims to address the need for advanced wound dressings by developing a multifunctional polymeric hydrocolloid/film that blends zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, Cynodon dactylon extract, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC). Composite hydrocolloids were fabricated via solvent casting and subsequently cross‐linked with SA. We made four different formulations: pure CMC‐PVA (H 1 ), CMC‐PVA/ZnO (H 2 ), and CMC‐PVA/ C. dactylon (H 3 ), and CMC‐PVA/ C. dactylon /ZnO (H 4 ). The hydrocolloids were characterized using SEM, FTIR, and DLS, and their hemocompatibility, porosity, biodegradation, swelling, blood uptake, cell viability (MTT assay), potential anti‐inflammatory‐related effects based on protein denaturation inhibition, and in vitro release were all tested. The in vivo efficacy was assessed utilizing a Wistar rat model for pressure ulcers over a 14‐day duration, incorporating histological examinations of the healed tissues. The H 4 hydrocolloid had the best microstructure, was very porous (about 70%), broke down in a controlled way, and absorbed fluids very well. FTIR analysis confirmed that bioactive components were successfully added through hydrogen bonding and coordination interactions. The H 4 formulation showed satisfactory hemocompatibility (&lt; 4% hemolysis), increased fibroblast growth (112% viability at 72 h), and combined anti‐inflammatory effects. The H 4 hydrocolloid closed about 91% of the wounds in vivo, and it did a better job of epithelialization, collagen deposition, and reducing inflammation than the control groups. The CMC‐PVA/ C. dactylon /ZnO composite hydrocolloid demonstrates significant potential as a multifunctional wound dressing for the treatment of pressure ulcers, leveraging the synergistic effects of natural extracts and nanoparticles to promote expedited and structured tissue regeneration.