Synthesis and Characterization of Argan Oil-Loaded Polyacrylamide Hydrogels: A Multifunctional Approach

This study presents the pioneering development and comprehensive characterization of argan oil (AO)-loaded polyacrylamide (PAm) hydrogel (AO-PAm), establishing its multifunctional potential for biomedical applications. Systematic evaluation revealed that the AO-PAm hydrogel combines excellent mechanical properties (90% transparency, > 25 cm stretchability) with remarkable biological activity, demonstrating: (1) potent antibacterial effects against E. coli (1.2 ± 0.2 mm inhibition zone), P. aeruginosa (0.7 ± 0.2 mm), and S. aureus (0.6 ± 0.2 mm); (2) exceptional antioxidant capacity (97.6% DPPH scavenging at 75 μg/mL); and (3) pH-responsive swelling behavior. GC–MS analysis identified key bioactive compounds (β-pinene, camphene, undecanal, β-bisabolene) in AO that contribute to these properties, while microscopic characterization confirmed successful AO encapsulation within the PAm matrix. The hydrogel exhibited controlled drug release following Higuchi kinetics ( R 2 = 0.9547), with enhanced performance at physiological pH (6.5–6.8). These findings position AO-PAm hydrogel as a promising platform for advanced wound care, transdermal drug delivery, and daily healthcare applications, combining the therapeutic benefits of AO with the structural advantages of a synthetic hydrogel matrix.