2.5.1 Biocompatibility
To support the growth and proliferation of cells in wound tissue, biocompatibility of hydrogel should also be tested. The biocompatibility of hydrogel was evaluated by direct live/dead staining assay and MTT assay on HaCaT cells. As shown in figure 4A and 4B, different concentrations of hydrogel had no negative effect on cellular viability and proliferation. Most cells are alive (green fluorescence) in both the control and hydrogel group, with only a few dead cells present (red fluorescence), indicating that the hydrogel have satisfactory cytocompatibility. As wound dressings inevitably come in contact with blood, hemolysis assay also was conducted to further evaluate the hemocompatibility of the hydrogels. As shown in Figure 4C, incubation of hydrogel or THB@ANVs with the red blood cells did not result in any apparent hemolysis. The results above suggest that the THB@ANVs delivered hydrogel showed good biocompatible, non-hemolytic, and suitable for wound cell growth and proliferation.