Designing and characterization of curcumin-loaded nanotechnological dressings: A promising platform for skin burn treatment

• Published in: International journal of pharmaceutics Vol. 635; p. 122712
• Main Authors: de Moraes Soares Araújo, Gabriela, Lima Rodrigues, Jamile, Campello Yurgel, Virginia, Silva, Carla, Manuel Cavaco Paulo, Artur, Isabel Saì Loureiro, Ana, Lima Dora, Cristiana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 25-03-2023
• Subjects: Administration, Cutaneous; Burns; Burns - drug therapy; Curcumin; Curcumin - pharmacology; Gauze; Humans; Nanoemulsions; Nanotechnology; Wound Healing; Gauze; Nanoemulsions; Curcumin; Burns
• ISSN: 0378-5173; 1873-3476
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.122712

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Burns affect the skin and appendages, impair their function, and become favorable regions for bacterial infections. Owing to time-consuming and costly treatments, burns have been considered a public health problem. The limitations of the treatments used for burns have motivated the search for more efficient alternatives. Curcumin has several potential properties such as anti-inflammatory, healing, and antimicrobial activities. However, this compound is unstable and has low bioavailability. Therefore, nanotechnology could offer a solution for its application. This study aimed to develop and characterize dressings (or gauzes) impregnated with curcumin nanoemulsions that were prepared using two different techniques as a promising platform for skin burn treatment. In addition, the effect of cationization on curcumin release from the gauze was evaluated. Nanoemulsions were successfully prepared using two methods, ultrasound and a high-pressure homogenizer, with sizes of 135 nm and 144.55 nm, respectively. These nanoemulsions exhibited a low polydispersity index, adequate zeta potential, high encapsulation efficiency, and stability for up to 120 d. In vitro assays demonstrated a controlled release of curcumin between 2 and 240 h. No cytotoxicity was observed at concentrations of curcumin up to 75 µg/mL, and cell proliferation was observed. The incorporation of nanoemulsions in the gauze was successfully achieved, and the evaluation of curcumin release showed a faster release from cationized gauzes, whereas the non-cationized gauze promoted a more constant release.