Curcumin-loaded, alginate–gelatin composite fibers for wound healing applications

Abstract

The wound healing process is characterized by varied biological and molecular cascades including inflammation, tissue proliferation, and remodeling phase. To augment and maintain these cascades, an all-natural matrix system is proposed. Biocompatible biopolymers, sodium alginate and gelatin, were employed to prepare microfibers via extrusion-gelation into a physical crosslinking solution. Curcumin, an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and wound healing agent, was loaded into the fibers as a natural bioactive compound. Curcumin-loaded composite microfibers and blank microfibers were fabricated using biopolymers such as sodium alginate and gelatin. The formulation batches were coded as A1G9-A10G0 according to the varied concentrations of sodium alginate and gelatin. The molecular transitions within the composite microfibers were characterized using FTIR and were further corroborated using molecular mechanics analysis. In mechanical properties tensile strength and elongation-at-break (extensibility) were ranging between 1.08 ± 0.01 to 3.53 ± 0.41 N/mm 2 and 3.89 ± 0.18 to 0.61 ± 0.03%. The morphological analysis confirmed the formation and fabrication of the microfibers. In addition, physical evaluation including matrix degradation and entrapment efficiency was performed to give a comparative account of various formulations. The water uptake capacity of the blank and curcumin-loaded composite fibers was found to be in the range of 30.77 ± 2.17 to 100.00 ± 5.99 and 22.34 ± 1.11 to 56.34 ± 4.68, respectively. Composite microfibers presented a cumulative release of 85% in 72 h, confirming the prolonged release potential of the composite fibers. The drug release followed an anomalous (non-Fickian) release behavior asserting the role of degradation and diffusion. In an in vivo full-thickness cutaneous wound model, the composite microfibers provided higher degree of contraction 96.89 ± 3.76% as compared to the marketed formulation (Vicco turmeric cream). In conclusion, this all-natural, alginate-gelatin-curcumin composite has the potential to be explored as a cost-effective wound healing platform.

Development and Evaluation of Rifampicin Loaded Alginate–Gelatin Biocomposite Microfibers

“…The FTIR spectrum relating to microfibers was similar to the polymer spectrum. Due to the lack of optimum peak characteristics of rifampicin in the FTIR spectra of microfibers as they have been cloaked by bands formed by polymers, it could be inferred that rifampicin was well embedded in the microfibers [ 17 ].…”

“…This polymeric mixture (rifampicin + alginate + gelatin + xanthan gum + nanoclay) was then extruded into a beaker containing 1% calcium chloride (using a 22 gauge needle). The microfibers led to ionic cross-linking and were further washed with the help of water and dried (air or oven), as illustrated in Figure 1 [ 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”

The Effects of Curcumin Nanoparticles Incorporated into Collagen-Alginate Scaffold on Wound Healing of Skin Tissue in Trauma Patients

“…CUR has drawn attention towards skin wound healing treatment due to some of its properties, including low toxicity and pharmacological properties, and its distinguishing features make it a good factor for wound healing [15,16]. Alginate-gelatin microfibers constructed with curcumin have great potential for wound healing [17]. The majority of papers provided evidence that curcumin with natural polymers such as alginate, chitosan, collagen, and gelatin improved wound healing in a variety of diseases [17][18][19].…”

“…Alginate-gelatin microfibers constructed with curcumin have great potential for wound healing [17]. The majority of papers provided evidence that curcumin with natural polymers such as alginate, chitosan, collagen, and gelatin improved wound healing in a variety of diseases [17][18][19]. Sodium alginate (SA) is an anionic polysaccharide [20], which is one of the most popular anionic polymers utilized in biomedical applications due to its unique features such as hydrophilicity, biodegradability, and nontoxicity, and it plays a crucial role in the drug delivery process [9,21,22].…”

Rifampicin-Loaded Alginate-Gelatin Fibers Incorporated within Transdermal Films as a Fiber-in-Film System for Wound Healing Applications

“…For drug delivery, applications as the fibrous structures, including fibers and nanofibers, are considered acceptable carriers, hence fiber or nanofiber-loaded transdermal films could act as novel drug carrier in drug delivery [ 14 ]. Due to its soft and versatile properties, fiber and nanofiber-loaded transdermal films attributes as significant substitute for wound healing dressings [ 15 ]. Wound exudates are also absorbed easily by the fiber-loaded transdermal films.…”