# Antibacterial and Biocompatible Penicillin–Streptomycin Loaded Bacterial Cellulose (BC) Hydrogels for Wound Healing

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a new wound dressing made of bacterial cellulose loaded with antibiotics, which promotes healing and fights infection.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is the development of penicillin–streptomycin loaded BC hydrogels with demonstrated antimicrobial and biocompatible properties.

## Key findings

- BC hydrogels loaded with penicillin and streptomycin showed effective antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.
- The hydrogels were biocompatible with 3T3 mouse fibroblasts and facilitated wound closure in scratch assays.
- Drug binding was confirmed via FT-IR, and the hydrogel structure was characterized as nanofibrous and porous using SEM.

## Abstract

Bacterial cellulose (BC) hydrogel is a promising skin wound healing biomaterial due to its unique properties, including a moist environment that facilitates tissue healing. To enhance its antimicrobial efficacy, BC dressings were loaded with penicillin and streptomycin. FT-IR analysis confirmed successful drug binding, while SEM revealed a nanofibrous and porous hydrogel structure. In vitro studies using 3T3 mouse fibroblasts demonstrated biocompatibility, and scratch wound assays achieved complete closure across all tested concentrations. Antibacterial activity, assessed via agar diffusion against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, showed a concentration-dependent increase in inhibition zones, highlighting the potential of BC-Pen/Strep hydrogels as effective antimicrobial wound dressings.