Multifunctional Wound Dressings Based on Tannic Acid-Modified Dialdehyde Cassia gum/Casein Films with Enhanced Hemostatic and Antibacterial Properties

Conventional wound dressings are often associated with several limitations, including discomfort, potential tissue damage during removal, reduced performance after exudate absorption, inadequate hemostatic activity, and difficulty in maintaining a moist wound environment. These shortcomings highlight the need for advanced wound dressing materials with multifunctional therapeutic properties. In this study, dialdehyde cassia/casein films with different ratios were prepared using the solvent casting method. Among them, the formulation of 2:1 ratio was selected for further modification due to superior tensile strength (24 MPa) and hemostatic performance. Tannic acid (TA) was subsequently incorporated into the optimized formulation at 3, 7, and 10 wt%. FTIR and FESEM analyses confirmed the formation of a homogeneous polymer network through Schiff-base interactions. Increasing TA content resulted in an increase in water contact angle, indicating higher surface hydrophobicity, while enhancing swelling behavior, weight loss behavior, antioxidant activity, and mechanical strength. Hemolysis results confirmed good blood compatibility. In addition, TA improved thermal stability as well as cell viability, proliferation, and adhesion. The films also exhibited antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus . Overall, TA-modified dialdehyde cassia/casein films exhibit considerable potential as multifunctional wound dressings owing to their combined hemostatic, antibacterial, antioxidant, and cytocompatible properties.