Turmeric/oregano formulations for treatment of diabetic ulcer wounds

Diabetic wound infections and pressure ulcers pose a significant challenge to healthcare providers worldwide. The current study provides new and innovative wound care products that reduce inflammation, clear infection, and improve healing in an animal model of pressure ulcers in diabetic rats. Ointment, hydrogel, and nanofiber dressings were synthesized using 5% turmeric, 1% oregano, and 1% chitosan nanoparticles and tested for antibacterial and cytotoxicity in vitro, and wound healing effects in vivo. Turmeric ethanolic extract showed high antioxidant activity compared to Oregano, Chitosan Nanoparticles, and Alginate silver (p-value < 0.0001). The ointment and hydrogel formulation (5% Turmeric, 1% Oregano, and 1% chitosan) showed lower cytotoxicity compared to the commercial Alginate silver dressing. Ointment, hydrogel formulations, and commercial Alginate silver, showed significant antibacterial activity with 100% efficacy on both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli (p-value < 0.0001), compared to nanofibers which showed 50% reduction in bacterial growth (p-value < 0.0001). The new formulations were tested in a rat model of pressure ulcers. Ointment and nanofibers achieved complete wound healing by day 15 compared to the hydrogel and commercial Alginate silver dressing, which showed higher infection, and the wound remained partially open by day 21. In conclusion, Turmeric, Oregano extracts, and chitosan nanoparticles can be used for effective wound dressings in both diabetic and non-diabetic wounds. At relatively low concentrations, this combination provides a promising new wound treatment formulation that is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant.