Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part A (2025)

Hydrogels are versatile three-dimensional polymer networks that can absorb and retain large amounts of water, making them ideal for various biomedical applications such as drug delivery, wound healing, and tissue engineering. The three-dimensional structure increases the molecular weight and provides better stability & mechanical properties. Hydrogel can retain a large amount of water in a swollen state within its network. Hydrogel synthesized from hydrophilic polymers have the capacity to absorb water ranging from 10-20% and may1000 times of their dry weight. Water absorption by hydrogel depends on the state of water and the crosslinking network’s density in the hydrogel. Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) has gained significant attention in hydrogel formulations due to its biocompatibility, water solubility, and mechanical strength.

The integration of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into hydrogels further enhances their antimicrobial properties, making them suitable for medical applications. Piper Betel, a traditional medicinal plant known for its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, has been utilized for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Hydrogels are suitable for drug delivery due to biocompatible and biodegradable nature. This review discusses the formulation and evaluation of PVA-based hydrogels loaded with silver nanoparticles derived from Piper Betel.