Fabrication of pH-responsive multilayer hydrogel patches for enhanced burn wound treatment

Introduction Burns represent one of the most serious and painful skin injuries, with a significant impact on patients’ quality of life and vital functions. The management of burns requires timely treatment and the use of innovative materials that promote effective wound healing. In this context, hydrogels are emerging as a promising therapeutic option due to their high hydrophilicity, good biocompatibility, and ability to provide an optimal environment for the regeneration of damaged skin tissue. In this work, a new protocol was developed to fabricate a pH-responsive multilayer hydrogel patch based on biocompatible alginate (ALG) and containing different bioactive principles, such as manuka honey (MH), for its antibacterial properties. Methods The multiple layers of the patch were assembled by ionic crosslinking with a calcium chloride solution. The swelling ratio, water content, and porosity were evaluated to assess the hydrophilicity of the hydrogels and their ability to absorb exudate from the wound to promote healing and prevent infection. FTIR analysis was used to investigate the chemical composition of the patch layers, and DSC analysis was employed to evaluate the thermal stability in the physiological range. Water vapor transmission rates (WVTRs) were calculated to quantify the water vapor transmission through the patches. The degradation at different pH values was studied to establish the pH-responsive nature. Results and Conclusions Multilayer hydrogels were successfully prepared using ionic gelation. The samples showed a high water content (>85%) and high porosity. They also showed good water vapor permeability, which demonstrates their potential use for the treatment of burns. The DSC analysis showed thermal stability in the physiological range. In conclusion, this work presents a promising innovation in the field of burn care, offering a new approach for improving burn management and healing.