Development and characterization of ellagic acid-loaded gelatin/xanthan gum hydrogel scaffold for wound healing activity

Wound healing is a complex biological process involving coordinated cellular and molecular events that restore the structural and functional integrity of damaged tissue. Conventional wound dressings frequently fail to provide an optimal healing microenvironment, necessitating of advanced biomaterial-based therapeutic systems. In the present study, ellagic acid-loaded hydrogel scaffolds were developed using gelatin and xanthan gum as biocompatible polymers, with PEG-400 incorporated to enhance flexibility and mechanical stability. Scaffolds were fabricated using freeze-drying technique to achieve a porous three-dimensional architecture suitable for wound healing applications. Physicochemical characterization using FTIR and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the successful incorporation of ellagic acid within the hydrogel matrix. Raman analysis revealed a concentration-dependent shift in skeletal vibration bands and a distinct peak at 1627 cm ⁻¹ in the higher drug-loaded formulation, attributed to aromatic C=C stretching of ellagic acid, indicating intermolecular interactions between the drug and scaffold polymers. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated adequate thermal stability up to 200°C, while porosity studies confirmed sufficient pore structure to support cell infiltration, nutrient diffusion, and oxygen exchange. A FeCl ₃ chemical test further validated the presence of ellagic acid in drug-loaded scaffolds. Biological evaluation using MTT assay revealed enhanced cell viability and cytocompatibility in ellagic acid-loaded formulations. Scratch assay demonstrated a concentration-dependent improvement in cell migration and wound closure, with the higher drug-loaded scaffold exhibiting superior performance, highlighting the therapeutic contribution of ellagic acid through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Overall, the developed scaffolds exhibited promising physicochemical and biological characteristics, warranting further in-vivo and drug release studies to establish clinical applicability.