Curcumin loaded biomimetic composite graft for faster regeneration of skin in diabetic wounds

Abstract

Diabetic wounds do not heal in an organized and timely manner due to poor blood glucose control and weakened immune system. In the present study, wound healing properties of curcumin were explored by designing and evaluating a biomimetic composite graft for skin regeneration in diabetic wounds. Curcumin was incorporated in gelatin solution by nanoprecipitation method in particle size of 311.3 ± 35.1 nm. Cytomodulin coupled porous PLGA microparticles (cPMS) were prepared, dispersed in curcumin loaded gelatin solution and cross-linked with glutaraldehyde (GTA) to form a composite graft (Gel-Cur-cPMS). Under SEM, cPMS showed porous structure and Gel-Cur(1%w/v)-cPMS(1%w/v) indicated interconnecting pores of gelatin hydrogel. Formulation stability at the application site was indicated by micro shrinkage temperature. Gel-Cur(1%w/v)-cPMS(1%w/v) absorbed 40% of additional fluid weight of its own weight and demonstrated a sustained release of the curcumin over a period of 7 days. Evaluation of wound healing properties of the composite graft in diabetic wound model indicated 75%, 68% and 63% of wound closure with Gel-Cur(1%w/v)-cPMS(1%w/v), Gel-Cur(1%w/v) and untreated control group respectively. Gel-Cur(1%w/v)-cPMS(1%w/v) demonstrated better and faster wound healing visually along with regenerating a skin of higher tensile strength than Gel-Cur(1%w/v) treated and untreated control group. These results demonstrate that the curcumin-loaded composite graft bears potential as a skin graft with wound healing properties in diabetic wounds.