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Hydrogels derived from natural polysaccharides are ideal scaffolds for use in biomedical applications. pH‐sensitive polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan hydrogels containing inclusion compounds of thyme oil (TM) with host methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (MβCD) and hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (HβCD) and TM nanoemulsion (TM‐nano) were prepared via controlled, biocompatible and low cost freeze–thaw method. The structure of the hydrogels was characterized by Fourier transform IR spectroscopy and optical and scanning electron microscopy. The physicochemical properties of the hydrogels such as gel fraction, swelling ratio and tensile properties were measured. The water vapor transmission rate of the hydrogels indicated that they can maintain a moist environment over the wound bed. Encapsulation and release of antibacterial TM from the hydrogels were determined by UV spectroscopy. In all cases, hydrogels with lower amounts of TM evidenced slower and more controlled release. Different kinetic models were applied for evaluating the drug release mechanism. The antibacterial activity of the samples was studied by counting the number of both Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria surviving in a broth medium and the results proved the antibacterial activity of all prepared hydrogels. The results of an MTT (3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay indicated more cell viability of TM‐nano hydrogels in comparison with those of TM‐βCD inclusion compounds. Cell attachment observations also showed great biocompatibility of TM‐nano hydrogels. The prepared hydrogels, especially those containing TM‐nano, might be used as potential wound dressings to improve the wound healing process. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry

Biomedical industries are attempting to utilize natural materials, as they are bio-compatible, non-toxic, and show bioactive properties, like antimicrobial activity. In this study, natural polyelectrolyte complexed chitosan/alginate films (PECs) were prepared via a casting/solvent evaporation technique, and their characteristics and drug release properties were investigated. PEC films made with two different overall polymer contents, 0.4 and 1 w/v%, were loaded with thyme oil nanoemulsion as drug carrier. The structure of the films was studied by FTIR and optical and scanning electron microscopy. Prepared PEC films had good mechanical and water vapor permeability properties. Release of the thyme oil from the pH-sensitive PEC films (TM-PEC) was detected and followed by UV spectroscopy. The results indicated that the drug release rate of TM-PEC films was the fastest when the chitosan content was 1 %w/v, and various mathematical models were analyzed for investigating the drug release mechanism. Antibacterial tests were performed by counting the number of surviving gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The in vitro test indicated the limitation Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) growth in the presence of TM-PEC films. The MTT test showed more cell viability of the TM-PEC film in comparison with that of the PEC film without TM. Based on the measured physical and antibacterial properties, the chitosan–alginate PEC films loaded with antibacterial essential oils can be considered for biomedical applications, such as wound dressings or controlled release systems.

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