Abstract
The mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) secretome plays multiple roles in tissue regeneration and wound healing due to its content of various bioactive factors, including Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF-2). To support its topical application, an effective delivery system is required to preserve the stability and bioactivity of the secretome. A hydrogel sponge based on PVA-HPMC-PEG was selected as the delivery matrix due to its porous structure, flexibility, and ability to release active substances, thereby making it a promising candidate for wound healing applications. The objective of this research was to formulate a PVA-HPMC-PEG-based hydrogel sponge for a secretome delivery system. The hydrogel sponge was prepared using the freeze-drying method and optimized by varying the PVA concentration to achieve the desired physicochemical characteristics. The optimal formulation (F4) consists of 20% PVA, 2% HPMC, and 7.5% PEG. Evaluation revealed that this formulation exhibited a flexible sponge-like structure with a swelling percentage of 279.793% ± 0.06, elongation percentage of 107.923% ± 4.98, and physical crosslinking confirmed by FTIR analysis. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis demonstrated pore size ranging from 20 to 215 μm. Furthermore, secretome release was assessed using a Franz diffusion cell, and FGF-2 levels were quantified via ELISA. The results confirmed that the hydrogel sponge effectively facilitated the release of the secretome.