Therapeutic potential of Art-C-infused gelatin hydrogel in enhancing pressure ulcer wound healing.

Abstract

Chronic wounds, including pressure ulcers, present significant healthcare challenges due to prolonged healing, high costs, and complex pathology. Gelatin-based hydrogels infused with artepillin C (ArtC), an antioxidant compound from Brazilian green propolis, were successfully prepared and structurally characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy-showing peaks at 3408&#xa0;cm(NH stretching), 2932&#xa0;cm(asymmetric CH stretching), 1655&#xa0;cm(amide I), and 1238&#xa0;cm(amide III)-and X-ray diffraction-revealing a broad peak at 2&#x3b8;&#xa0;&#x2248;&#xa0;20&#xb0; and a peak at 2&#x3b8;&#xa0;&#x2248;&#xa0;7-8&#xb0;, indicative of partial crystallinity and collagen-like triple-helix structures. Art-C was infused at 0.05&#xa0;%, 0.1&#xa0;%, 0.25&#xa0;%, and 0.5&#xa0;% concentrations into these hydrogels and applied to a murine pressure ulcer model. Results showed a dose-dependent acceleration of wound closure, with the 0.5&#xa0;% formulation producing the greatest reduction in wound area (Spearman's r&#xa0;=&#xa0;-0.79, p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.0001), followed closely by 0.25&#xa0;%. The 0.5&#xa0;% hydrogel achieved superior wound contraction. Histological analysis demonstrated increased collagen deposition at both 0.25&#xa0;% and 0.5&#xa0;% concentrations. Additionally, reactive oxygen species and nitrite levels in wound tissues were reduced at 0.25&#xa0;% and 0.5&#xa0;%, confirming antioxidant activity. These results underscore the therapeutic potential of structurally characterized Art-C-infused gelatin hydrogels as an effective, cost-efficient option for chronic wound management with broad clinical applicability.