Evaluation of the healing potential of a 3D biomembrane with carrageenan matrix in an excisional wound model

Impaired wound healing, particularly under diabetic conditions, demands biomaterials capable of providing structural stability and biological support. In this study, a bioactive iota/kappa-carrageenan hydrogel membrane was fabricated by extrusion-based 3D printing and evaluated in excisional wound models in healthy and diabetic mice. The printed membrane, incorporating proline, hydroxyproline, α-bisabolol, peptides, and zinc sulfate (1% w / v each), exhibited sustained zero-order release kinetics (Y = 0.0163× + 1.336) and reduced water absorption compared with polymeric controls ( p < 0.05). Atomic force microscopy revealed increased surface roughness (62.74 nm versus 51.64 nm), indicating polymer reorganization. In vivo, the bioactive membrane significantly accelerated wound contraction, increased collagen deposition, and enhanced fibroblast density in healthy animals ( p < 0.05). In diabetic wounds, treatment improved collagen organization and significantly increased VEGF and FGF2 expression, indicating enhanced angiogenesis and fibroplasia. These results demonstrate that the 3D-printed carrageenan membrane provides a stable and biologically active platform for wound repair. • 3D-printed iota/kappa carrageenan biomembrane promotes faster wound healing. • Membrane enhances collagen deposition and fibroblast proliferation in vivo. • Sustained drug release ensures controlled delivery of pro-healing compounds. • Improved angiogenesis via VEGF and FGF2 upregulation in diabetic wounds. • Promising scaffold for translational skin regeneration in tissue engineering.