Development, Characterization, and In Vitro Hemostatic Assessment of an Alginate-Based Wound Dressing Incorporating...

Exuding wounds require dressings that combine effective exudate management, hemostatic activity, and bioactive therapeutic effects. Curcumin possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but its clinical application is limited by poor bioavailability and uncertain effects on coagulation. This study aimed to develop an alginate-based dressing incorporating liposomal curcumin and evaluate its physicochemical and in vitro hemostatic properties. Alginate dressings containing 0-0.5% liposomal curcumin were prepared and characterized. The selected 0.2% liposomal curcumin (D_0.2) formulations were evaluated for swelling behavior, dimensional stability, water vapor transmission rate, optical properties, calcium and polyphenol release, prothrombin time, fibrin morphology, and fibrin secondary structure in simulated serous, inflammatory, and infected wound exudates. D_0.2 exhibited favorable macroscopic integrity and flexibility, enhanced swelling capacity, improved exudate management, and favorable moisture-vapor permeability. The dressing showed controlled release of Ca²⁺ and polyphenols, producing a biphasic hemostatic response characterized by transient early coagulation delay followed by accelerated clot formation. Fibrin analysis revealed improved network organization and preservation of ordered protein conformations, particularly under inflammatory and infected conditions. Liposomal curcumin-modified alginate dressings combine effective fluid handling with adaptive hemostatic performance and enhanced fibrin stabilization, demonstrating promising potential for the management of serous, inflammatory, and infected wounds.