Carboxymethyl Cellulose Hydrogel Incorporated with Sandalwood, Onion Peel Extract, Copper Oxide and Silver Nanoparticles for Effective Wound Healing: An In Vitro Analysis

The development of multifunctional wound dressings that combine biocompatibility, antimicrobial activity, and regenerative potential is essential for effective wound management. In this study, a bioactive carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-based hydrogel was fabricated by incorporating sandalwood (SW) extract, onion peel (OP) extract, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles to enhance wound-healing and prevent bacterial infection (CMC-SW-OP-CuO-AgNPs hydrogel). The physicochemical properties of the synthesized hydrogel were characterized using ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confirming the successful formation of a stable composite hydrogel. The UV–visible peaks were found at 256 nm and 290 nm for the hydrogel, and the SEM image revealed spherical morphology with a diameter ranging from 90 to 130 nm. In vitro biocompatibility was evaluated using V79 fibroblast cells through MTT and Live/Dead fluorescence assays, demonstrating good cytocompatibility and cell viability. The biosafety of the hydrogel was further validated in vivo using zebrafish embryos, which exhibited normal survival and development, indicating no toxicity. The wound-healing efficacy of the hydrogel was assessed using an in vitro scratch assay, where enhanced fibroblast migration and accelerated wound closure were observed compared to the control (hydrogel containing only silver nanoparticles). After 72 h, the percentage of wound closure was 81 ± 3%, 92 ± 2%, and 97 ± 2% after treatment with untreated control, 0.2 µM, and 0.5 µM of CMC-SW-OP-CuO-AgNPs hydrogel, respectively. Furthermore, antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive (S. aureus) and Gram-negative (E. coli) bacterial strains confirmed the composite hydrogel’s broad-spectrum antibacterial potential, attributed to the synergistic effects of the plant-derived bioactive compounds and CuO nanoparticles. Overall, the developed CMC-based hydrogel exhibits favorable physicochemical characteristics, excellent biocompatibility, effective antibacterial activity, and promising wound healing capability, highlighting its potential as a multifunctional biomaterial for advanced wound dressing.