Development and characterization of a polycaprolactone/chitosan hydrogel dressing loaded with Echinophora platyloba extract and amphotericin B for enhanced antifungal activity

Abstract

Hydrogel wound dressings are promising for managing infected wounds due to their biocompatibility, high water absorption and ability to deliver therapeutic agents. In this study, polycaprolactone (PCL)/chitosan (CS) hydrogels were developed and loaded with amphotericin B (AmB) and/or hydroalcoholic extract of Echinophora platyloba , a plant known for its antifungal properties. The effects of PCL/CS ratio, crosslinking agent (tetraethyl orthosilicate, TEOS) and loading concentrations on swelling behavior, physicochemical properties (Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), XRD, DSC, TGA, SEM) and antifungal activity against Candida albicans were evaluated. Swelling rates increased with higher CS content due to its hydrophilic groups, reaching up to 900% under optimized conditions. FTIR and XRD confirmed homogeneous blending and interactions between CS and PCL. SEM revealed porous structures suitable for drug release and cell adhesion. Antifungal tests showed that E. platyloba extract alone exhibited moderate activity, while the combined formulation with AmB resulted in enhanced antifungal activity, as reflected by a reduction in the minimum inhibitory concentration from 3 μg mL −1 (AmB alone) to 1 μg mL −1 and the minimum lethal concentration from 9 μg mL −1 to 2 μg mL −1 . In vitro AmB release was sustained over 72 h, and (4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays indicated good biocompatibility. These findings suggest that CS/PCL hydrogels loaded with E. platyloba extract and AmB represent a promising antifungal wound dressing, with improved performance compared to individual treatments and potential for the management of Candida ‐infected wounds. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.