Alginate-based wound dressings loaded with natural essential oils: physicochemical characterisation and antibacterial performance

Gürkan E. H., Iskender O.

JOURNAL OF DRUG TARGETING, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/1061186x.2025.2585041
  • Dergi Adı: JOURNAL OF DRUG TARGETING
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Bacterial infections are a major challenge in wound healing, increasing complications and delaying recovery. This study developed alginate-based composite films incorporating three essential oils (EOs) - Hypericum perforatum (healing), Laurus nobilis (antibacterial) and Lavandula angustifolia (analgesic) - individually and in combinations, into a 3% sodium alginate matrix via solvent casting. Films were characterised for thickness, water solubility, swelling capacity and water vapour transmission rate (WVTR), as well as structural features (Fourier-transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM)) and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Essential oil incorporation enhanced moisture retention, maintained an optimal WVTR (1799-1906 gm-2day-1), and improved antibacterial activity, particularly against S. aureus (inhibition zones up to 16.3 mm). SEM analysis revealed increased surface roughness and porosity, while FTIR confirmed interactions between alginate and phenolic EO components. These results suggest that EO-loaded alginate films are promising, biocompatible wound dressings with infection-control and moist-healing capabilities, warranting further in vivo studies.