The utilization of TGase-crosslinked phycocyanin-collagen hydrogels for the purpose of facilitating skin wound healing.

Conventional collagen hydrogels face limitations such as residual toxicity from chemical cross-linkers (e.g., glutaraldehyde), inadequate antioxidant capacity, and poor permeability. To address these, we developed a phycocyanin-collagen hydrogel (PC-Col hydrogel ) using non-toxic transglutaminase (TGase) as a cross-linker. Results showed that, compared to collagen-only hydrogels, TGase-crosslinked PC-Col hydrogels exhibited enhanced thermal stability, superior permeability, and pH-responsive swelling (peak swelling rate: 358.54 % at pH 8.2). In vitro assays confirmed biocompatibility and dose-dependent improvement in cell migration. In rat wound models, PC-Col hydrogels increased CD-31 expression by 1.3-fold, reduced IL-6 and TNF-α levels by 28 % and 25 %, respectively, elevated CAT and SOD activities by 69 % and 45 %, and decreased MDA by 20 %. These results demonstrate that TGase-crosslinked PC-Col hydrogels offer enhanced permeability, anti-inflammatory efficacy, and antioxidant activity, validating their potential as advanced wound dressings.