Synthesis and Characterization of Hydrogel Loaded Curcumin Encapsulated Chitosan Nanoparticles as Novel Wound Dressing

In this study, curcumin/chitosan (Cs/Cr) nanocomplex with different weight percentages Cs/Cr (1:1) (sample A) and Cs/Cr (2:1) (sample B) by drug-poly saccharide complex method were fabricated and encapsulated into chitosan/alginate hydrogel and then the samples were evaluated. The morphology and functional group of the samples surface were evaluated via the scanning electron microscopy (SEM and FESEM) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), respectively. The average hydrodynamic diameter of nancomplex A and B by the dynamic light scattering (DLS) were measured 80nm and 45 nm, respectively and their zeta potentials were obtained mV and mV, respectively. For characterization of Cs/Cr nano complex loaded hydrogel, the water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) and the swelling test in PBS were performed. The results indicated that hydrogel containing nanocomplex B with high absorbing fluids (2049%) and good WVTR (2300 g/m2/day) can be suitable for creating a wet environment for wound healing. Also, in vitro release studies by HPLC method was performed for evaluation of curcumin release from nano complex and the results showed a sustained release without initial burst release. To study the release mechanism of curcumin from nanocomplex, data obtained from release test were fitted to Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetics model. Also, the encapsulation efficiency of curcumin in nanocomplex was meseared 80% that the results indicated a high curcumin loading in nanocomplex. Finally, the viability and proliferation of fibroblast cell line (L929) on nano complex surface was evaluated by MTT assay and the results did not showed any cytotoxicity. Therefore, the hydrogel containing Cs/Cr nano complex can be a good choice as wound dressing for rapid healing.