ADA-GEL composite hydrogel films incorporating mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles and silver-doped bioactive glass nanoparticles for biomedical applications

Abstract Hydrogels made from natural polymers are widely used in biomedical engineering as they resemble the extracellular matrix. Alginate dialdehyde-gelatin (ADA-GEL) hydrogels are notable for their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and adjustable crosslinking. However, their limited mechanical strength and bioactivity present significant challenges for use in tissue regeneration and wound healing. To overcome these issues, this study explores the addition of 0.1 and 1 wt.% mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (MBGNs) or silver-doped bioactive glass nanoparticles (Ag-BGNs) into ADA-GEL hydrogels to create composite hydrogel films. These nanocomposites were tested in terms of printability, swelling, degradation, antibacterial effects, and in vitro compatibility using MG-63 cells (osteosarcoma cells). MBGNs improved the hydrogels’ osteogenic ability and structural stability. At the same time, Ag-BGNs provided vigorous antibacterial activity, especially against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli , without significantly affecting cell viability and morphology. The use of bioactive and antimicrobial nanoparticles in the ADA-GEL matrix offers a promising approach for developing new soft biomaterials for applications such as bone regeneration, wound healing, and implant coatings.