Formulation and in vitro evaluation of nano-based ointments using L929 and THP-1 cell lines: a novel approach for...

Healing for wounds remains a major clinical challenge, often requiring treatments that combine anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. This study presents a novel curcumin-functionalized copper nanoparticle ointment and a comparative evaluation with non-functionalized Cu NPs for their potential as advanced wound healing formulations. Physicochemical characterisation (UV-Vis Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDX), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Zeta analysis) confirmed the successful synthesis of nanoparticles, their morphology, crystallinity, and functionalization. The formulated ointments demonstrated stable physicochemical properties, showed acceptable pH, smooth spreadability, and long-term stability. In vitro assays showed that curcumin-functionalized Cu NPs exhibited significantly enhanced antioxidant, antimicrobial, and significantly higher anti-inflammatory activity compared to the non-functionalized formulation. Cytotoxicity assays (MTT) on L929 and THP-1 cells confirmed dose-dependent effects, while wound scratch assays demonstrated improved wound closure efficiency with curcumin-functionalized Cu NPs ointment, indicating improved cell migration and tissue regeneration potential. The in-vitro drug release assay has shown a sustained and enhanced drug release supporting prolonged therapeutic efficacy. These results highlight the novelty and the therapeutic potential of Cu NPs functionalization with curcumin ointment, supporting their role as promising candidates for wound-healing formulations. Further in vivo validation is needed to establish clinical relevance.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-026-04869-x.