{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,28]],"date-time":"2026-09-28T16:12:57Z","timestamp":1790611977146,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":40,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"2","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,17]],"date-time":"2026-01-17T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1768608000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"European Union-NextGenerationEU, through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan of the Republic of Bulgaria","award":["BG-RRP-2.004-0006"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["BG-RRP-2.004-0006"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Molecules"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Silymarin\u2014a standardized extract from the seeds of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L. Gaertn.)\u2014is mainly used for the treatment of hepatitis and other liver diseases. In recent years, the attention of researchers has been directed to its use in dermatology and wound treatment. Despite the promising results, there are still many unresolved issues in this area. The aim of the present study is to develop and characterize hydrogel chitosan\u2013pectin films containing silymarin as an active ingredient with potential medical application. Six variants of hydrogel films (control and silymarin-loaded) were obtained from chitosan and pectin solutions by the casting method and analyzed in terms of their physicochemical, structural, mechanical and optical properties, as well as the in vitro dissolution profile of silymarin. The highest tensile strength was measured for the chitosan-based films\u201423.35 \u00b1 1.74 MPa (control) and 22.01 \u00b1 2.67 MPa (silymarin-loaded), while the barrier properties to UV and visible light were the strongest for chitosan\u2013pectin films with silymarin. The antioxidant potential of the films was determined by DPPH assay and it was found that the variants with silymarin have over 20 times higher antioxidant activity (from 2.020 \u00b1 0.048 to 2.106 \u00b1 0.190 mg TE\/g) than the corresponding controls. The results showed that chitosan\u2013pectin films with incorporated silymarin could find application as potential hydrogel dressings in the therapy of wounds and superficial burns.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/molecules31020322","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,19]],"date-time":"2026-01-19T09:57:02Z","timestamp":1768816622000},"page":"322","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["Formulation and Characterization of Hydrogel Chitosan\u2013Pectin Active Films Containing Silymarin"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"31","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1122-4590","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Svetla","family":"Dyankova","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute of Cryobiology and Food Technologies, Agricultural Academy, 1407 Sofia, Bulgaria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6803-9831","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Nadya","family":"Bozakova","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Vanya","family":"Boneva","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9185-8701","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ayten","family":"Solak","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute of Cryobiology and Food Technologies, Agricultural Academy, 1407 Sofia, Bulgaria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3801-6895","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Veselin","family":"Ivanov","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Social Medicine, Health Management and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,17]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"113303","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jep.2020.113303","article-title":"The food plant Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.: Phytochemistry, Ethnopharmacology and clinical evidence","volume":"265","author":"Marmouzi","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Ethnopharmacol."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"239","DOI":"10.1016\/S0021-9673(02)01971-4","article-title":"Analysis of the active components of silymarin","volume":"990","author":"Kratka","year":"2003","journal-title":"J. Chromatogr. A"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2035","DOI":"10.2165\/00003495-200161140-00003","article-title":"The use of silymarin in the treatment of liver diseases","volume":"61","author":"Saller","year":"2001","journal-title":"Drugs"},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"195","DOI":"10.26900\/hsq.2364","article-title":"Silymarin promotes wound healing through regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition in rat model: Histopathological and immunohistochemical evidences","volume":"4","author":"Aslan","year":"2024","journal-title":"Health Sci. Q."},{"key":"ref_5","first-page":"5","article-title":"Topical application of Silybum marianum extract","volume":"14","author":"Fenyvesi","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Med. Ar."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Vost\u00e1lov\u00e1, J., Tinkov\u00e1, E., Biedermann, D., Kosina, P., Ulrichov\u00e1, J., and Rajnochov\u00e1 Svobodov\u00e1, A. (2019). Skin Protective Activity of Silymarin and its Flavonolignans. Molecules, 24.","DOI":"10.3390\/molecules24061022"},{"key":"ref_7","first-page":"1101","article-title":"Formulation and clinical evaluation of silymarin pluronic-lecithin organogels for treatment of atopic dermatitis","volume":"10","author":"Mady","year":"2016","journal-title":"Drug Des. Devel. Ther."},{"key":"ref_8","first-page":"3287","article-title":"Evaluation of wound healing activity of silymarin (Silybum marianum)","volume":"10","author":"Aliabadi","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Anim. Vet. Adv."},{"key":"ref_9","first-page":"583","article-title":"Effect of topical application of silymarin (Silybum marianum) on excision wound healing in albino rats","volume":"50","author":"Sharifi","year":"2012","journal-title":"Acta Med. Iran."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"457","DOI":"10.12968\/jowc.2012.21.9.457","article-title":"Modulation of cutaneous wound healing by silymarin in rats","volume":"21","author":"Oryan","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Wound Care"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1149","DOI":"10.1002\/ptr.4839","article-title":"Silibinin regulates matrix metalloproteinase 3 (stromelysine 1) gene expression, hexoseamines and collagen production during rat skin wound healing","volume":"27","author":"Tabandeh","year":"2013","journal-title":"Phytother. Res."},{"key":"ref_12","first-page":"341","article-title":"Adjuvant effect of oral Silymarin on patients\u2019 wound healing process caused by thermal injuries","volume":"9","author":"Alizadeh","year":"2018","journal-title":"Caspian J. Intern. Med."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"82","DOI":"10.1007\/BF02977782","article-title":"Formulation and biopharmaceutical evaluation of silymarin using SMEDDS","volume":"30","author":"Woo","year":"2007","journal-title":"Arch. Pharm. Res."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"18","DOI":"10.1016\/j.addr.2012.09.010","article-title":"Hydrogels for biomedical applications","volume":"64","author":"Hoffman","year":"2012","journal-title":"Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"172","DOI":"10.1016\/j.burns.2005.08.012","article-title":"Evaluation of a bi-layer wound dressing for burn care. II. In vitro and in vivo bactericidal properties","volume":"32","author":"Martineau","year":"2006","journal-title":"Burns"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Thomas, S., Sharma, B., Jain, P., and Shekhar, S. (2023). Chapter 1\u2013Hydrogels: An overview of the history, classification, principles, applications, and kinetics. Sustainable Hydrogels, Elsevier.","DOI":"10.1016\/B978-0-323-91753-7.00005-3"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"120224","DOI":"10.1016\/j.carbpol.2022.120224","article-title":"Patentology of chitinous biomaterials. Part II: Chitosan","volume":"301","author":"Kertmen","year":"2023","journal-title":"Carbohydr. Polym."},{"key":"ref_18","unstructured":"Feng, Y., Jie, D., Yong, C., Zheng, Z., Zhi, D., and Chaoqun, N. (2017). Chitosan Gel Film with Patterned Aptamer as well as Preparation Method and Application Thereof. (CN 107375253 A)."},{"key":"ref_19","unstructured":"Athanasiadis, T., Hanton, L.R., Moratti, S.C., Robinson, B.H., Robinson, S.R., and Wormald, P.J. (2008). Polymer Comprising a Dicarboxy-derivatised Chitosan Polymer Cross-Linked to an Aldehyde-Derivatised Dextran Polymer Useful for Preventing Tissue Adhesion and for Promoting Wound Healing. (NZ 583819 A)."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"852","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijbiomac.2017.03.167","article-title":"Pectin-chitosan physical hydrogels as potential drug delivery vehicles","volume":"101","author":"Neufeld","year":"2017","journal-title":"Int. J. Biol. Macromol."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Vildanova, R.R., Petrova, S.F., Kolesov, S.V., and Khutoryanskiy, V.V. (2023). Biodegradable Hydrogels Based on Chitosan and Pectin for Cisplatin Delivery. Gels, 9.","DOI":"10.3390\/gels9040342"},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ignaczak, A., Wo\u017aniak, \u0141., Salamon, A., Szczepa\u0144ska-Stolarczyk, J., Trych, U., Chobot, M., Kowalska, J., and Kowalska, H. (2024). Shaping the Physicochemical and Health-Promoting Properties of Carrot Snacks Produced by Microwave-Vacuum Drying with Preliminary Thermal and Enriching Treatment. Molecules, 29.","DOI":"10.3390\/molecules29215100"},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"111058","DOI":"10.1016\/j.polymdegradstab.2024.111058","article-title":"Water-induced failure in polymer coatings: Mechanisms, impacts and mitigation strategies\u2014A comprehensive review","volume":"230","author":"Plucknett","year":"2024","journal-title":"Polym. Degrad. Stab."},{"key":"ref_24","first-page":"141","article-title":"Does the Use of Chitosan Contribute to Oxalate Kidney Stone Formation?","volume":"13","author":"Melo","year":"2015","journal-title":"Mar. Drugs"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Muslu Can, A., Metin Yildirim, R., and Karadag, A. (2024). The Properties of Pectin Extracted from the Residues of Vinegar-Fermented Apple and Apple Pomace. Fermentation, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/fermentation10110556"},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"286","DOI":"10.1016\/j.carbpol.2017.09.100","article-title":"Drug release and antioxidant\/antibacterial activities of silymarin-zein nanoparticle\/bacterial cellulose nanofiber composite films","volume":"180","author":"Tsai","year":"2018","journal-title":"Carbohydr. Polym."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1057","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijbiomac.2019.03.096","article-title":"Physicochemical properties of the edible films from the blends of high methoxyl apple pectin and chitosan","volume":"131","author":"Younis","year":"2019","journal-title":"Int. J. Biol. Macromol."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"746","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijbiomac.2017.03.065","article-title":"The properties of chitosan and gelatin films incorporated with ethanolic red grape seed extract and Ziziphora clinopodioides essential oil as biodegradable materials for active food packaging","volume":"99","author":"Shahbazi","year":"2017","journal-title":"Int. J. Biol. Macromol."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1471","DOI":"10.1007\/s13197-013-1137-1","article-title":"Physio-mechanical properties of an active chitosan film incorporated with montmorillonite and natural antioxidants extracted from pomegranate rind","volume":"52","author":"Qin","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Food Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1372","DOI":"10.1016\/j.foodhyd.2011.01.001","article-title":"Chitosan-gelatin composites and bi-layer films with potential antimicrobial activity","volume":"25","author":"Pereda","year":"2011","journal-title":"Food Hydrocoll."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"161","DOI":"10.1016\/j.foodchem.2010.02.033","article-title":"Development and evaluation of a novel biodegradable film made from chitosan and cinnamon essential oil with low affinity toward water","volume":"122","author":"Ojagh","year":"2010","journal-title":"Food Chem."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100365","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fpsl.2019.100365","article-title":"Natural plant extracts as active components in chitosan-based films: A comparative study","volume":"21","author":"Oberlintner","year":"2019","journal-title":"Food Packag. Shelf Life"},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wang, Z., Yan, Y., Zhang, Z., Li, C., Mei, L., Hou, R., Liu, X., and Jiang, H. (2024). Effect of Chitosan and Its Water-Soluble Derivatives on Antioxidant Activity. Polymers, 16.","DOI":"10.3390\/polym16070867"},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"197","DOI":"10.4196\/kjpp.2013.17.3.197","article-title":"Anti-oxidative activity of pectin and its stabilizing effect on retinyl palmitate","volume":"17","author":"Ro","year":"2013","journal-title":"Korean J. Physiol. Pharmacol."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"204","DOI":"10.3390\/antiox4010204","article-title":"Silymarin as a Natural Antioxidant: An Overview of the Current Evidence and Perspectives","volume":"4","author":"Surai","year":"2015","journal-title":"Antioxidants"},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1865","DOI":"10.3109\/13880209.2015.1133658","article-title":"Antioxidant, anti-collagenase and anti-elastase activities of Phyllanthus emblica, Manilkara zapota and silymarin: An in vitro comparative study for anti-aging applications","volume":"54","author":"Pientaweeratch","year":"2016","journal-title":"Pharm. Biol."},{"key":"ref_37","first-page":"249","article-title":"Evaluation of antioxidant properties of silymarin and its potential to inhibit peroxyl radicals in vitro","volume":"21","author":"Asghar","year":"2008","journal-title":"Pak. J. Pharm. Sci."},{"key":"ref_38","unstructured":"(2013). Test Methods for Primary Wound Dressings\u2014ASPECTS of Absorbency (Standard No. BS EN 13726-1:2002)."},{"key":"ref_39","unstructured":"(2003). Plastics\u2014Determination of Tensile Properties\u2014Part 3: Test Conditions for Films and Sheets (Standard No. ISO 527-3:2003)."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"25","DOI":"10.1016\/S0023-6438(95)80008-5","article-title":"Use of a free radical method to evaluate antioxidant activity","volume":"28","author":"Cuvelier","year":"1995","journal-title":"LWT-Food Sci. Technol."}],"container-title":["Molecules"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1420-3049\/31\/2\/322\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,19]],"date-time":"2026-01-19T09:57:19Z","timestamp":1768816639000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1420-3049\/31\/2\/322"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,17]]},"references-count":40,"journal-issue":{"issue":"2","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1]]}},"alternative-id":["molecules31020322"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/molecules31020322","relation":{},"ISSN":["1420-3049"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1420-3049","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,17]]}}}