Skin health must be ensured at all times in the case of wounds when the skin is subjected to traumatic actions that require multiple wound-healing measures. Wound healing is a complex, multi-phase biological process critical for restoring skin integrity after trauma. This study investigates the development and evaluation of a novel composite hydrogel formulated from collagen peptides extracted from the jellyfish Rhizostoma pulmo and hydroethanolic extracts from the brown alga Cystoseira barbata, both sourced from the Romanian Black Sea coast. Throughout the work, the characteristics due to the biochemical compositions of the extracts from the brown alga C. barbata and from the jellyfish R. pulmo are highlighted as important, emphasizing the content of polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids. Total phenol content was analyzed for three extracts from natural products. The biochemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and in vitro wound-healing properties of the components and their composite (JPC-ALG) were assessed. The rheological behavior and optical microscopy studies of collagen hydrogels were prepared. The general mechanisms of wound healing with the involvement of polysaccharides and collagen peptides existing in all categories of extracts were highlighted. The study of the effects of JPC-ALG composites and individual extracts on fibroblast and keratocyte cell lines is also presented. Results demonstrated that the composite exhibited synergistic effects, enhancing fibroblast and keratinocyte migration and proliferation, key factors in wound closure. The findings support the potential application of this marine-derived bioactive composite as a promising biomaterial for wound-healing therapies.

Background/Objectives: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a major therapeutic challenge due to treatment-related toxicity and impaired oral tissue regeneration. This study aimed to develop and characterize a novel biocomposite based on bioactive compounds from Ganoderma lucidum incorporated into marine collagen derived from Rhizostoma pulmo and to evaluate its physicochemical properties, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and in vitro antitumor potential in the oral cavity. Methods: Hydroalcoholic extracts of G. lucidum and pepsin-soluble collagen peptides from R. pulmo jellyfish were prepared and combined to obtain two hydrogel biocomposites with different component ratios. Chemical and structural characterization was performed using HPLC-DAD, SDS-PAGE, FT-IR, circular dichroism, and spectrophotometric assays. Antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH radical scavenging and reducing power assays, while antimicrobial activity was evaluated against oral pathogens using diffusion and MIC methods. In vitro biological activity was investigated using MTT viability and scratch migration assays on human OSCC cell lines (SCC-9 and HSC-3). Results: The biocomposites preserved the structural integrity of type I collagen and incorporated polysaccharides and polyphenols from G. lucidum. The combined formulations showed enhanced antioxidant and antimicrobial activities compared with collagen alone. In vitro assays demonstrated dose- and time-dependent reductions in OSCC cell viability and delayed cell migration, with effects comparable to those of G. lucidum extract. Conclusions: The G. lucidum–R. pulmo biocomposite exhibits favorable physicochemical properties and demonstrates antioxidant, antimicrobial, and in vitro antitumor activity. These findings support its potential as a multifunctional biomaterial for further investigation as an adjunct approach in oral cancer-related applications.