Wound Healing Efficacy of Cellulose Hydrogel in ICR Mice: A Morphoanatomical, Histological, and Genomic Study

Chronic wounds pose a significant healthcare challenge due to the risk of infection and the limitations of conventional dressings. Advanced wound care solutions are needed to enhance healing and reduce complications. This study evaluated the wound healing potential of NIMO-CH, a cellulose hydrogel derived from nipa fronds and enriched with nipa indigenous microorganisms, particularly Lacticaseibacillus paracasei BCRC-16100.

12 male ICR mice with excisional wounds were assigned to three treatment groups: no treatment (negative control), NIMO-CH, and DuoDERM with povidone-iodine (positive control). Wound healing was assessed through macroscopic observation, histological analysis, and genome sequencing of L. paracasei BCRC-16100 to determine its potential role in the healing process.

Both NIMO-CH and DuoDERM achieved 100% wound closure. NIMO-CH-treated wounds exhibited complete healing with hair regrowth by days 18–20, whereas untreated wounds healed by day 20. Minimal scarring was observed in both NIMO-CH and DuoDERM groups. Histological analysis revealed comparable healing processes, including granulation tissue formation and moderate inflammatory responses, with no significant differences in collagen fiber orientation. Genome sequencing of L. paracasei BCRC-16100 identified the presence of sodA and gsiC genes, which encode enzymes essential for wound healing.

The findings suggested NIMO-CH to be an effective alternative for wound care, demonstrating comparable healing efficacy to DuoDERM while promoting hair regrowth and minimal scarring. The presence of beneficial genes in L. paracasei BCRC-16100 further supported its potential role in enhancing the wound healing process.