Fabrication of a Novel Ganoderma Lucidum-Integrated Polyvinyl Alcohol/Sodium Alginate Hydrogel for Advanced Wound Healing Applications Publisher



Yazdanparast F ; Mehdikhani M ; Yegdaneh A ; Shafiee F ; Babaei M ; Rafienia M
Source: Heliyon Published:2026

Abstract

The treatment of skin injuries such as burns, lacerations, and chronic wounds often presents clinical and financial challenges, necessitating the development of advanced wound dressings that combine biocompatibility with therapeutic functionality. This study presents a novel hydrogel membrane incorporating Ganoderma lucidum (GL) extract into a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and sodium alginate (SA) matrix, developed using a freeze-thaw technique. Hydrogels with varying PVA:SA ratios (100:0, 90:10, 70:30, 50:50) were fabricated and evaluated for their structural, rheological, and mechanical properties. Increased SA content enhanced porosity (up to 90.54 ± 4.12%) and pore size (26.79 ± 1.78 μm), resulting in improved elasticity and flexibility suitable for skin applications. The 50:50 formulation exhibited optimal characteristics and was selected for GL incorporation at 5% and 10% (w/v). GL extract, obtained through maceration, exhibited high total phenolic content (60.48 mg GAE/g), indicative of potent antioxidant activity. FTIR analysis confirmed the hydrogel's chemical integrity. GL incorporation increased water uptake and reduced degradation over 28 days across pH conditions. In vitro release studies indicated quasi-Fickian diffusion, with 10% GL hydrogels achieving a faster release (81.18 ± 5.16%) at pH 7.4. Biocompatibility was confirmed via cell viability and adhesion assays, with the 5% GL hydrogel promoting superior cell proliferation and viability (98.19 ± 9.12%) by day 7. The integration of GL into a PVA-SA matrix introduces a bioactive wound dressing with enhanced regenerative potential, marking a significant advancement in the development of multifunctional, nature-inspired wound healing materials. © 2026 The Authors.