Synthesis of Sodium Alginate- Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel Grafts and Wound Dressings for Encapsulation and Controlled Release of Pharmaceutical Agents in Scar Treatment and Biomedical Applications

Abstract

This study focuses on the synthesis and preparation of sodium alginate–hyaluronic acid (SA–HA) composite hydrogels for advanced wound dressing applications, particularly in scar treatment. By leveraging the biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, and unique crosslinking capabilities of these natural polysaccharides, physically crosslinked IPN (interpenetrating polymer network), hydrogels were synthesized using calcium carbonate and glucono-δ-lactone. These hydrogels were tailored for controlled drug delivery of pharmaceutical agents such as corticosteroids, lidocaine, and 5-fluorouracil, which are commonly used in scar treatment and chemotherapy. The composite hydrogels demonstrated favorable physicochemical properties, enabling them to serve potentially as effective encapsulation carriers and delivery platforms with tunable mechanical strength and porosity. Drug loading and release mechanisms—driven by hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions, diffusion, and matrix entrapment for several drugs—were evaluated to ensure sustained, effective release of these encapsulated drugs. Overall, the hybrid SA–HA hydrogel system offers a promising, minimally invasive therapy, with potential applications in wound healing, scar modulation, and targeted cancer therapy.