Advancing cartilage Repair: A Biomimetic approach with oxidized guar gum, chitosan, polyether ether ketone-based injectable hydrogel

[Display omitted] •PEEK-loaded biopolymeric hydrogel developed for potential cartilage repair.•The in-vitro studies revealed a porous structure suitable for loading drugs.•The in-vitro characterization revealed the biocompatible and antibacterial effect.•The said hydrogel holds promise for potential cartilage repair applications. Herein, we developed hydrogel (potentially injectable) composed of oxidized guar gum, chitosan, and polyether ether ketone to provide cartilage support and regeneration. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed spongy and microporous structures. The synthesized hydrogels exhibited suitable wettability and effective crosslinking (indicated via Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy). Cytocompatibility, human collagen type II release, and degradation studies highlighted the biocompatible and regenerative nature of the synthesized hydrogels. Furthermore, the hydrogels exhibited an antibacterial efficacy against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The thermoplastic-based approach holds promise for effective cartilage repair, offering a sustainable solution for joint support with enhanced load-bearing capabilities.