Background: As the body’s first line of defense, the skin protects us against physical and chemical damage. Wound healing is a complex and dynamic process; conditions such as diabetes or old age can impair this process. Traditional wound dressings have been replaced by more modern ones due to issues like not providing a moist environment for the wound. Hydrogels are used as modern wound dressings because they can provide moisture at the wound site and can incorporate substances aimed at facilitating wound healing.
Chitosan is a natural polysaccharide obtained industrially through the deacetylation of chitin. Its key properties include biodegradability, biocompatibility, non-toxicity, appropriate adhesion to wounds, antibacterial and antifungal properties, and a positive effect on blood coagulation. These attributes make chitosan a widely used polysaccharide in the production of wound dressings. Graphene oxide is a two-dimensional material with a honeycomb-like structure derived from the oxidation of graphene. Research has confirmed its proton/ion conductivity due to the presence of functional groups on its surface. The use of conductive wound dressings can enhance cellular activities such as proliferation, migration, and adhesion, either with or without electrical stimulation, thereby facilitating wound healing. Gallic acid is a phenolic acid found in almost all plants, including fruits, leaves, and wildflowers. It facilitates wound healing through its antioxidant activity, which eliminates free radicals at the wound site. Purpose: Synthesis and characterization of a thermo-sensitive and conductive hydrogel with dual intrinsic and additive antioxidant properties as a wound dressing to facilitate wound healing. Methods: In this research, Gallic acid was first grafted onto chitosan, and its incorporation was assessed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-NMR). The amount of Gallic acid was assessed using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. The optimal concentrations of regular chitosan and beta-glycerophosphate, as a cross-linking agent in the hydrogel, were determined by examining the temperature and duration of the sol-gel transition process. The hydrogel was characterized by evaluating its morphology using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water absorption capacity, porosity, fibroblast cell viability through MTT assay, and antioxidant properties using DPPH assay. Results: The
