Physically crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan/gum tragacanth hydrogels loaded with vitamin E for wound healing applications

Abstract For the healing process, in this study, an innovative polymeric hydrogel network including polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/chitosan (CS)/gum tragacanth (GT) loaded with vitamin E (VE) was produced by the freeze–thaw approach. In order to investigate the characteristics of the prepared samples, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy ( FTIR ) and scanning electron microscope ( SEM ) analyzes were performed. Also, water vapor transmission rate ( WVTR ), swelling ratio, gel fraction and mechanical properties were measured. Then, to observe their cytocompatibility, MTT assay and cell adhesion studies were assessed. The results of FTIR confirmed the presence of PVA, CS, GT, and VE in hydrogel films. As well as, the SEM images showed the effect of the freezing and thawing method in creating a smooth surface with small and regular pores. It was found with adding the CS and GT to PVA improves swelling ratio, gel fraction, WVTR and elongation of hydrogel films. Further, in examining the adhesion and cytotoxicity of the samples, the non‐toxic quiddity of the PVA/CS/GT hydrogel films was corroborated. In the end, the antibacterial properties revealed that the film containing GT and CS had the greatest antibacterial activity. According to the observed results, PVA/CS/GT hydrogel films loaded with VE can be good for wound healing applications.