Synthesis and characterization of aloe vera and hyaluronic acid-infused agar-agar/ gelatin-based biopolymeric gel for potential skincare applications

Abstract

The demand for bioactive and biodegradable skincare products is growing with rising skin complications despite bare cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals. Biocompatible, Agar-agar (AA) and gelatin (G) based biopolymeric gel infused with hyaluronic acid (HA) and aloe vera (AV)) is suitable for burn treatment and wound healing. This proposed gel with HA and AV showed therapeutic effects due to its hydrating, antibacterial, and angiogenic potential. The said biopolymeric gels were characterized in both in-vitro and in-vivo studies, revealing their potential to replace synthetic and conventional cosmeceuticals. The adequately porous structure of the biopolymeric gels was evident from the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, which allows the release of AV and HA. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic analysis revealed the peaks attributed to secondary amine (-NH bond) in AA/G biopolymeric gel, which confirmed the crosslinking between AA and G. The degradation profile of biopolymeric gels showed the rapid release of AV and HA during the first hour of incubation, supporting the idea of minimal application time of biopolymeric gels. AV-infused AA/G/HA gel was highly bactericidal, with only 27 % of the E. coli population appearing viable. Similar behavior was seen against S. aureus, and 33 % of the cells seemed viable, confirming the antibacterial potential. In-vivo chorioallantoic membrane assay confirmed neo-vascular ability and angiogenic potential as the number of branched vessels for AA/G/HA was 6 ± 1 and a significant increase in the number of branched chain vessels was seen for AA/G/HA/AV, as 12 ± 2 due to the presence of HA. The results infer that the AA/G biopolymeric gels infused with AV and HA can effectively be used for burn treatment and wound healing.