In Vitro Release of Curcumin and Resveratrol from Polymeric Systems: Films and Hydrogel

Chronic wounds are a persistent clinical and public health challenge due to impaired tissue repair caused by sustained inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular senescence. Natural polyphenols such as curcumin and resveratrol, alongside mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) secretome, have demonstrated complementary anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and pro-angiogenic properties with potential for wound healing. This study reports two complementary in vitro investigations evaluating the release profiles of curcumin and resveratrol from two polymeric platforms: poly(vinyl alcohol)/sodium alginate/carboxymethylcellulose films (Study 1) and an acrylate copolymer-based hydrogel incorporating MSC secretome (Study 2). UV-Vis spectrophotometric analysis confirmed analytical selectivity with no interference from excipients. Resveratrol exhibited progressive and consistent release from the hydrogel. Curcumin compromised polymer matrix integrity and reduced resveratrol release efficiency. Also showed unsatisfactory release in both systems, attributed to its low aqueous solubility. These results support the use of resveratrol-loaded polymeric matrices as promising sustained-release platforms for bioactive wound dressings and highlight the need for nanoencapsulation strategies to improve curcumin bioavailability.