Development and in vitro evaluation of borax cross-linked tamarind seed polysaccharide hydrogel films as an antioxidant and self-healing material for wound healing.

This article focuses on the development and characterization of a novel self-healing hydrogel film for wound healing, composed solely of tamarind seed polysaccharide (TSP) cross-linked with borax. The borax cross-linking forms reversible borate ester bonds with TSP's hydroxyl groups, imparting self-healing properties, enhanced mechanical strength, and antioxidant activity to the hydrogel. The optimized formulation (3% w/v TSP with 15 wt% borax) demonstrated suitable thickness, water vapor transmission rate, tensile strength, swelling behavior, and hemocompatibility, along with rapid self-healing confirmed by visual, mechanical, and rheological analyses. These findings suggest that the borax cross-linked TSP hydrogel film holds promise as a biocompatible wound dressing that maintains structural integrity and supports healing through its antioxidant and self-repairing capabilities.