As diseases and their impact continue to rise, traditional treatment approaches in biomedicine, specifically tissue engineering, have proven to be ineffective in promoting wound healing. Hence, scientists have directed their focus toward novel strategies to combat this issue, and nanomaterials have emerged as a promising avenue due to their unique physical and chemical properties that enable infection control and wound healing [[1], [2], [3]]. One such material is a hydrogel, which possesses a three-dimensional structure comprising polymer networks that can absorb a significant amount of water, up to 20–40 times its dry weight, without disintegrating as it is insoluble in water. Hydrogel-based dressings mimic living tissue by swelling under similar conditions and exhibit excellent elasticity and moisture retention, keeping the wound environment moist. Moreover, these dressings do not adhere to the wound surface during removal and demonstrate adequate ventilation and feeding due to their high permeability [4,5].

Carbon-based nanomaterials, particularly graphene oxide, which is derived from graphene oxidation, have recently attracted significant attention. Graphene oxide possesses several unique features, including acceptable mechanical strength, high specific surface area, and the ability to carry various biological molecules, such as drugs and genes [[6], [7], [8], [9]]. Due to the presence of different functional groups containing oxygen, graphene oxide readily integrates with different species. Graphene oxide undergoes functionalization and modification with a range of inorganic materials, including ceramic and metal nanoparticles. Additionally, various natural and synthetic polymers, such as chitosan, silk fibroin, and polyvinyl alcohol, are utilized to enhance biological properties, improve mechanical resistance, and mitigate toxic side effects in physiological conditions [[10], [11], [12], [13]].

Casein (Cas) is a protein found in milk that has been widely used in the development of biomaterials. It is a biocompatible and biodegradable material with unique physicochemical properties that make it ideal for use in various biomedical applications. Cas can be processed into different forms, such as films, hydrogels, and nanoparticles, making it versatile for use in different forms of biomaterials [14]. One of the main advantages of Cas as a biomaterial is its biodegradability, which makes it an attractive alternative to synthetic materials that often persist in the environment for extended periods. Additionally, Cas has a high loading capacity for bioactive molecules, such as drugs and growth factors, making it useful for controlled drug delivery systems [15]. Cas-based biomaterials have also shown potential in promoting cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, making them suitable for tissue engineering applications [16].

Layered-double hydroxides (LDHs) are synthetic materials with a layered structure composed of positively charged metal hydroxide layers and exchangeable anions. These materials have unique properties, including a large surface area, adjustable layer spacing, and the ability to exchange ions that make them highly valuable for various applications, such as water treatment, drug delivery, and energy storage [[17], [18], [19]]. LDHs exhibit excellent adsorption and catalytic properties, and their layered structure allows for the insertion of functional molecules like drugs, dyes, and enzymes, leading to the synthesis of hybrid materials with enhanced properties. When combined with polymers, LDHs can improve mechanical properties and thermal stability [20,21]. Studies have shown that when LDHs are included in the matrix of biomaterials, they exhibit high biocompatibility, efficient intracellular absorption, and a high capacity to exchange pharmaceutical cargoes, making them an attractive option for composite biomaterials [22]. Zinc, an essential mineral that plays a vital role in various chemical reactions such as DNA creation, cell growth, protein synthesis, and tissue healing, is often incorporated into LDHs to create composite biomaterials with added benefits [23]. These nanobiocomposites offer the unique features of LDHs, such as high porosity, controllable particle size, and high drug-loading capacity, in addition to the advantages of zinc metal itself [24].

Hydrogels are often combined with biocompatible matrices, such as chitosan and pectin, to enhance their antibacterial activity, improve biocompatibility properties, and increase stability. Alginate is a linear polysaccharide sourced from brown seaweed that contains repeating units of β-D-mannuronic acid (M) and α-L- glucuronic acid (G). By interacting with divalent ions, particularly calcium ions, these monomers create hydrogels. Alginate has become an attractive material in biomedical applications due to its similarity to other extracellular matrix components, high biocompatibility, stability, ability to form gels, and antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity [25]. However, alginate has weak mechanical properties and a low capacity for cell adhesion, differentiation, and proliferation, which limits its use in scaffold and wound dressing design [26]. To address these limitations, various reinforcements have recently been added to the structure of hydrogels, including carbon-based materials, inorganic molecules, and natural proteins. These reinforcements are added to induce new properties and overcome the defects mentioned above in alginate, resulting in improved mechanical strength, enhanced cell adhesion, and the ability to promote cell proliferation and differentiation [27,28].

Magnetic nanoparticles that measure 1–100 nm possess unique characteristics, including a high surface-to-volume ratio, the ability to be easily separated using an external magnet, and functionalization capabilities. These features make them suitable for use in various materials with nanometer sizes, targeted drug delivery systems, engineered substrates that resemble body tissue, and resonance imaging [[29], [30], [31], [32]]. When it comes to biological activity and the human body, safety and toxicity are of utmost importance. Fe3O4 magnetic nanomaterials have gained significant attention from researchers due to their non-toxic nature and strong biocompatibility with the human body. Consequently, they are highly desirable for a multitude of biomedical applications [33].

The novelty of this research paper lies in the preparation method and comprehensive evaluation of a multifunctional nanobiocomposite that combines graphene oxide (GO), casein (Cas), ZnAl layered double hydroxide (LDH), sodium alginate (Alg), and Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles. Unlike previous studies that focused on individual components or simple combinations [[34], [35], [36]], this research explores the synergistic effects and potential applications of the integrated nanobiocomposite in biomedical applications, and hyperthermia therapy, The use of covalently functionalized GO, in-situ magnetization, and the comprehensive assessment of biological potential, including cell viability, hemolysis, anti-biofilm assays, and hyperthermia application, distinguishes this study from existing works and highlights its innovative contributions to the field of nanobiomaterials.