Collagen Peptide Infused Biphasic Gel Formulation for Burn Wound Management: Biophysical, Pharmacokinetic, and In Vivo Evaluation.

Although herbal and bioactive wound dressings are known to promote healing, integrated dressings combining both agents for burn wounds have not been reported. The present study describes the development of a novel herbal biphasic gel (bigel) uniquely combining fish-derived bioactive collagen peptides with phytochemical rich Aloe vera and virgin coconut oil addressing critical limitations of conventional hydrogels and organogels. Among the five formulations, F4 (80:20) hydrogel: organogel (v/v) demonstrated optimal pH, stability and spreadability. It also demonstrated sustained collagen peptide release (97.7%, p < 0.0001) over 18 h following diffusion-controlled kinetics. In vitro studies confirmed its exceptional biocompatibility, demonstrating 100% cell viability, minimal hemolysis (4–6%), excellent antioxidant activity and significant cell migration (91.39% ± 1.95%, p < 0.0001) at 1 mg/ml within 12 h. In vivo studies on male albino Wistar rats with deep partial-thickness burns showed substantial wound healing, with F4-treated wounds reducing to 0.3 cm (p < 0.0001) by day 30, compared to 0.8 cm (p < 0.0001) with Silverex® (positive control) and 1.5 cm in untreated control. Histopathological analysis further supported these findings, revealing enhanced skin regeneration characterized by extensive collagen deposition, new blood vessel formation, and hair follicle development. These findings establish F4 bigel as a paradigm shift towards cost-effective, sustainable, and effective topical therapy for burn wound healing.