RESUMO
Alginate hydrogels are commonly used in wound care due to their ability to maintain a moist environment, absorb fluids, and aid wound healing. However, their stability and mechanical properties can sometimes limit their effectiveness. This study explores a new approach by creating a dual network system of oxidized alginate and gelatin hydrogel crosslinked with polydopamine in a single step, with the goal of improving the mechanical properties of these hydrogels. The unique aspect of this research is the comprehensive examination of different polydopamine concentrations in dual crosslinking systems. First, alginate was modified with sodium periodate to create additional active groups on its backbone, and various polydopamine concentrations were then tested to assess their impact on the dual crosslinking network and hydrogel properties. The study involved a range of tests, including FTIR, H-NMR, SEM, gelation time, rheology, adhesion, antioxidant activity, swelling ratio, weight loss, drug release, and cell viability. The addition of polydopamine was found to enhance the crosslinking density (0.859 × 109 mol.cm-3). Additionally, the results indicated improvements in properties such as reduced weight loss, enhanced antioxidant and adhesive qualities, and better mechanical properties (2240 kPa). However, the optimal concentration of polydopamine must be determined to achieve the best properties for a wound dressing. Excessive polydopamine can increase the space between polymer chains, leading to a reduction in crosslinking density and storage modulus. Nevertheless, it can also increase the swelling ratio, degradation rate, pore size, porosity, antioxidant activity, and dopamine release. Therefore, identifying the optimal concentration for a functional hydrogel is crucial. Notably, the hydrogel containing 0.5 mg.mL-1 polydopamine exhibited outstanding cell viability (108 % on the third day), swelling capacity (480 %), storage modulus (2240 kPa), gelation time (3 min), antioxidant activity (42.27 %), and skin adherence (11 kPa), making it an optimal choice for advanced wound management. According to the findings, it is emphasized that the application of this particular hydrogel expedites wound healing, as indicated by wound closure and histological studies. ABBREVIATIONS.