From Wild Mallow to Silver’s Embrace: A Tale of Two Hydrogels and Diabetic Wound Healing (Chitosan / Polycaprolactone / Polyvinyl Alcohol-Based Hydrogel Containing Malva sylvestris Extract and Chitosan / Polycaprolactone / Polyvinyl Alcohol-Based Hydrogel Containing Malva sylvestris Extract and Silver Nanoprticles)

This study evaluates the efficacy of chitosan/polycaprolactone/polyvinyl alcohol-based hydrogels, incorporating Malva sylvestris extract and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), on diabetic wound healing. Diabetic wounds, known for slow healing, pose significant challenges, including prolonged inflammation and impaired angiogenesis, raising the need for advanced healing therapies. Hydrogels, with their high water content and biocompatibility, emerge as promising solutions, particularly those based on chitosan, polycaprolactone, and polyvinyl alcohol due to their excellent mechanical properties and controlled degradation rates. The incorporation of M. sylvestris, a plant with known medicinal properties, and AgNPs, for their antimicrobial effects, could potentially enhance wound healing efficacy. The study involves the green synthesis of AgNPs using pine needle extract and the development of two types of hydrogels: one with M. sylvestris extract and another with both the extract and synthesized AgNPs. Characterization of the AgNPs and hydrogels was conducted through various analytical methods. The hydrogels’ swelling capacity, cytotoxicity, and impact on diabetic wound healing were assessed through in vitro and in vivo analyses, including wound closure rates, histological evaluations, and immunohistochemistry staining for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression levels. Results demonstrated that both hydrogels exhibited good swelling degrees and biocompatibility. In animal models, the hydrogel containing AgNPs and M. sylvestris extract significantly accelerated wound closure, promoted higher VEGF expression, and enhanced collagen deposition compared to the control and the hydrogel without AgNPs. These findings suggest that the addition of AgNPs to the hydrogel formulation could improve diabetic wound healing by enhancing antimicrobial efficacy and promoting tissue regeneration. This study provides valuable insights into the development of effective hydrogel-based wound dressings for managing diabetic wounds, indicating a significant step forward in diabetic wound care.