Fabrication of Hydrogel-Nano Silver Based on Aloe vera /Carboxymethyl Cellulose/Tannic Acid for Antibacterial and pH-Responsive Applications

Hydrogels integrated with a smart function pH-responsive play an important role in wound healing. In this study, the effect of tannic acid (TA) on the properties of nanocomposite hydrogels based on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), Aloe vera and green synthesized silver nanoparticles (CMC/ Aloe vera /AgNPs-TA) were investigated. The minimum inhibitory concentration against Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) and Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ) was observed in nanocomposite hydrogels containing AgNPs and 0.5% TA (AgNPs-TA-0.5). Furthermore, the highest storage modulus at 4555.3 kPa was also observed in AgNPs-TA-0.5. The obtained nanocomposite hydrogel is pH-responsive, and the release of TA could be tuned by adjusting the pH. The cytotoxicity studies with human fibroblast cells revealed that the hydrogel is non-toxic and hence suitable for biomedical uses such as multifunctional wound dressing.