Hydrogels are three-dimensional polymeric matrices capable of absorbing significant amounts of water or biological fluids, making them promising candidates for biomedical applications such as drug delivery and wound healing. In this study, novel hydrogels were synthesized using a photopolymerization method and modified with cisplatin-loaded protein carriers, as well as natural extracts of nettle (Urtica dioica) and chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.). The basic components of the hydrogel were polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyvinyl alcohol, while polyethylene glycol diacrylate was used as a crosslinking agent and 2-methyl-2-hydroxypropiophenone as a photoinitiator. The hydrogels demonstrated high swelling capacities, with values up to 4.5 g/g in distilled water, and lower absorption in Ringer’s solution and simulated body fluid (SBF), influenced by ionic interactions. Wettability measurements indicated water contact angles between 51° and 59°, suggesting balanced hydrophilic properties conducive to biomedical applications. Surface roughness analyses revealed that roughness values decreased after incubation, with Ra values ranging from 6.73 µm before incubation to 5.94 µm after incubation for samples with the highest protein content. Incubation studies confirmed the stability of the hydrogel matrix, with no significant structural degradation observed over 20 days. However, hydrogels containing 2.0 mL of protein suspension exhibited structural damage and were excluded from further testing. The synthesized hydrogels show potential for application as carriers in localized drug delivery systems, offering a platform for future development in areas such as targeted therapy for skin cancer or other localized treatments.

This study investigates the physicochemical properties of hydrogels based on PVA and PVP crosslinked with PEGDA, focusing on their swelling capacity, surface roughness, incubation behavior, and structural modifications upon bioactive component incorporation. Swelling analysis demonstrated that the amount and molecular weight of PEGDA significantly influences the hydrogels’ sorption properties, with the highest swelling coefficient observed for samples with 2 mL PEGDA (575 g/mol) due to a looser network structure, while the lowest was recorded for 2.5 mL PEGDA (700 g/mol), indicating a denser network. Surface roughness analysis revealed that increasing the crosslinker amount led to higher roughness both before and after incubation, with samples containing 575 g/mol PEGDA being more susceptible to structural changes in an incubation environment. FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of characteristic functional groups, providing insight into the chemical stability and hydration properties of the hydrogels. Modification with a bioactive mixture (glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM) was confirmed by spectral analysis, indicating successful integration without compromising the hydrogel matrix. The modified hydrogels demonstrated potential applications in regenerative medicine, particularly for joint disease treatment and cartilage tissue repair.