Effect of Discarded Keratin-Based Biocomposite Hydrogels on the Wound Healing Process In Vivo

The study investigated keratin-based biocomposite hydrogels from human hair and wool for wound healing in Sprague Dawley rats. These hydrogels, prepared via electron beam irradiation, were compared to standard wound dressings and natural healing. Results indicated that the hydrogels, particularly those from human hair, significantly enhanced wound healing by promoting collagen synthesis and fibroblast proliferation, leading to smaller wound sizes and more complete epithelial regeneration over 14 days. The study concluded that these hydrogels could be an effective, environmentally friendly, and economical alternative for wound management.