Optimizing hydrogel performance composed of Japanese pagoda tree extract loaded-gelatin-sodium alginate-polyethylene oxide for biomedical applications: Influence incorporated calcium-based metal organic frameworks and zinc oxide NPs.

Gelatin/sodium alginate/polyethylene oxide hydrogel was synthesized by self-gelation method and utilized to achieve enhanced mechanical strength. Japanese pagoda, tree extracts rich in flavonoids and isoflavonoids was incorporated to enhance tissue repair along with ZnO-NPs to provide the hydrogel with necessary antimicrobial and other desirable biological properties. The inclusion of Ca-BDC MOF enhanced hydrogel matrix by providing more surface area and the presence of calcium ion needed for tissue regeneration. Results revealed that composite hydrogel displayed suitable gelation time and swelling rate that was further improved by incorporating the plant extract, ZnO-NPs, and Ca-BDC MOF. The efficacy of the tested formulations to suppress or stop the growth of multi-drug-resistant human pathogens was assessed using both microbial turbidity and zone of inhibition assays. The optimal hydrogel loaded with (20 % plant extract, 0.25 % ZnO and 0.1 % Ca-BDC MOF) formula have stronger antimicrobial effects against Gram-positive bacteria as well as yeast cells than it did against Gram-negative bacteria. Statistically, this formula has recorded a higher percentage of biofilm inhibition on Bacillus cereus (93.45 ± 2.91 %), and Candida krusei (78.48 ± 6.44 %), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (76.93 ± 3.65 %). Composite hydrogel loaded with (Japanese pagoda tree extract, ZnO-NPs, Ca-BDC MOF) could be exploited as promising biocompatible antimicrobial biomaterial for biomedical applications.