DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CURCUMIN LOADED CHITOSAN-PECTIN COMPOSITE BIO-SCAFFOLDS FOR WOUND HEALING ACTIVITY

Abstract

Background: The study aimed to formulate Curcumin-loaded chitosan-pectin composite bioscaffolds and determined its wound healing activity on animals. Chitosan, proved as a potential candidate for wound healing applications. Pectin in its  hydrogel form can maintain a moist environment conducive to wound healing. Curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound extracted from the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa), is the drug candidate. The prepared bioscaffold was characterized for physicomechanical properties, morphological studies, FT-IR and in vitro drug release study. In vitro antibacterial activity was determined using the agar diffusion method and in vivo wound healing activity was evaluated using the excision wound healing model.

Results: Five blank composite bioscaffolds were prepared by increasing the number of parts of chitosan, keeping pectin constant (CP1 to CP5). The results of in vitro parameters showed the increased thickness, folding endurance, swelling behavior, tensile and texture parameters with increase in chitosan proportion. Curcumin drug loaded scaffolds (CCP5) has shown maximum inhibition against all tested bacteria. The FT-IR spectra of curcumin loaded scaffolds demonstrated the compatibility between drug and polymers use4d in the study. The in vivo studies were revealed that, there was a significant (p˂0.05) difference in percentage of wound contraction between untreated group and treated group. 100% of wound contraction was observed in groups treated with best drug loaded films (CCP5) within 21 days.

Conclusion: It can be concluded from the study that encapsulating curcumin in a biocompatible matrix can enhance its stability and bioavailability and can maximize its therapeutic potential. Curcumin composite bio scaffolds may be significantly more effective scaffolds than drug alone and blank scaffolds in healing excision wounds.