Curcumin incorporation into an oxidized cellulose nanofiber-polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel system promotes wound healing

Incorporation of curcumin (Cur) into a hydrogel system is an interesting approach to treat full-thickness skin wounds because Cur can potentiate healing by affecting different stages of the wound healing. Due to its hydrophobicity, Cur solubilization is a great challenge. Thus, Cur solubilization by pluronic F-127, gelation capacity of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and porosity enhancement by TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (TOCN) can inaugurate a biocompatible and biodegradable hydrogel system for Cur delivery. In this study, a Cur incorporated physically crosslinked TOCN-PVA-Cur hydrogel was prepared by a freeze-thaw process, which released Cur to accelerate wound healing. The viscosity of the hydrogel was increased by increasing the PVA concentration. In vitro studies revealed that, L929 fibroblast cells internalized curcumin within 4 h of incubation. After the application of the TOCN-PVA-Cur into rat full-thickness skin wounds, the percentage of wound closures was increased compared to that in the control group. Distinct neoepidermise and granulation tissue formed in hydrogel treated groups and collagen fibers accumulated near defect areas at the two weeks after treatment. These results showed show that the delivery of curcumin by TOCN-PVA-Cur hydrogel can be an effective method for promoting natural wound healing processes.