Innovative silk fibroin-flax nanocomposite hydrogels: A drug-loaded system for potential wound dressing applications

Chronic wounds pose significant therapeutic challenges due to their inability to heal and their susceptibility to infections. Silk fibroin (SF)/flax (FL)-based nanocomposite hydrogels, along with copper nanoparticles (Cu) and curcumin (Cur), have been developed in this study as wound-healing accelerators. Three nanocomposite hydrogels, made by mixing SF and FL at a ratio of 20:80, 30:70, and 50:50, were optimized by enhancing biological activity and mechanical properties. The 30SF/70FL showed the highest values of tensile strength (13.17 ± 0.66 MPa) and excellent cytocompatibility with fibroblasts. Controlled Cur drug release followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, with 70 % being released via diffusion within 50 min. Antimicrobial tests demonstrated inhibition zones of 14–16 mm for E. coli. The incorporation of Cu and Cur into nanocomposite hydrogels increased hydrophilicity (contact angle: 29.8°) and water retention capability. Biodegradation studies further showed hydrogel dissolution within 24 days in PBS. In summary, these results indicate that SF/FL/Cu/Cur hydrogels possess significant potential as promising candidates for next-generation biodegradable wound dressings, thereby combining good mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and controlled drug-release mechanisms.