Cross-Linked Alginate Dialdehyde/Chitosan Hydrogel Encompassing Curcumin-Loaded Bilosomes for Enhanced Wound Healing...

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Materials Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Curcumin exhibits poor aqueous solubility and low oral bioavailability, limiting its therapeutic applications.
• Developing effective drug delivery systems is crucial for enhancing curcumin's efficacy.
• Bilosomes and hydrogels offer potential for topical drug delivery and wound management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and characterize curcumin-loaded bilosomal hydrogel for topical wound healing.
• To overcome the limitations of curcumin's solubility and bioavailability.
• To evaluate the efficacy of the developed formulation in wound healing models.

Main Methods:

• Bilosomes were prepared using the thin film hydration technique with cholesterol, Span® 60, and bile salts (sodium deoxycholate or sodium cholate).
• Optimized bilosomes were characterized for particle size, PDI, ZP, and entrapment efficiency.
• Curcumin-loaded bilosomes were incorporated into an alginate dialdehyde/chitosan hydrogel for further evaluation.

Main Results:

• The optimized bilosomal formulation showed favorable characteristics, including a particle size of 246.25 ± 11.85 nm and high entrapment efficiency (93.32% ± 0.40).
• The loaded hydrogel exhibited sustained drug release over five days and high water uptake capacity (729.50% ± 43.13).
• In vivo studies demonstrated complete wound closure within three weeks, with superior healing observed compared to controls.

Conclusions:

• Curcumin-loaded bilosomal hydrogel is a stable and effective topical dosage form for wound healing.
• The formulation enhances curcumin's therapeutic potential by improving its delivery and efficacy.
• This novel hydrogel represents a promising advancement in wound care management.