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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Cell-laden hybrid gelatin–polyvinyl alcohol bioinks crosslinked with genipin for diabetic wound healing: A safety and efficacy analysis
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1 Department of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
2 Department of Medical Informatics, RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus (RUMC), George Town, Pulau Pinang , Malaysia
3 Advance Bioactive Materials-Cells UKM Research Group, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor , Malaysia
4 3D Gens Sdn Bhd, Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam , Malaysia
IJB, 026300313 https://doi.org/10.36922/IJB026300313
Received: 20 July 2026 | Revised: 8 August 2026 | Accepted: 13 August 2026 | Published online: 10 September 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in 3D Bioprinting - Series 2)
© 2026 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is an advanced tissue-engineering approach that utilises biomaterial-based bioinks to replace damaged skin and promote tissue regeneration. Compared with conventional skin grafting procedures, which are often painful and limited in treating extensive or irregular wounds, 3D-bioprinted constructs offer a more adaptable and minimally invasive alternative. Previously optimised biocompatible, biodegradable, and printable bioink formulations were further evaluated for skin regeneration using a diabetic mouse model of chronic wound healing from day 0 to day 17. Gelatin (GE) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were formulated at different compositions (6% GE:0% PVA and 6% GE:5% PVA), with 0.1% genipin incorporated as a crosslinking agent to improve structural stability and printability. Assessment of PBMC metabolic activity supported the biocompatibility of the formulated hydrogels. In a full-thickness excisional wound model, bioink-treated groups exhibited accelerated wound closure, improved tissue organisation, and enhanced skin maturation compared with untreated controls. Furthermore, subcutaneous implantation studies revealed substantial hydrogel biodegradation within 14 days. Histological observations indicated the formation of skin microstructures resembling native tissue. Overall, these findings suggest that 3D-bioprinted GE–PVA hydrogels represent a promising strategy for promoting rapid, effective chronic wound healing and may serve as a potential alternative for future skin tissue-engineering applications.
Graphical abstract
Keywords
3D-bioprinting
Chronic wound
Hydrogel
Gelatin–polyvinyl alcohol
Bioinks
Funding
The study was funded by DANA IMPAK PERDANA 2.0 (DIP 2.0) grant under Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (grant code: DIP-2023-018).
Conflict of interest
Mh Busra Fauzi is an Editorial Board Member of this journal, but was not in any way involved in the editorial and peer-review process conducted for this paper, directly or indirectly. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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