Novel 3D porous aerogels engineered at nano scale from cellulose nano fibers and curcumin: An effective treatment for chronic wounds

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers 2022-07, Vol.287, p.119338-119338, Article 119338
• Main Authors: Jose, Jiya, Pai, Avinash R., Gopakumar, Deepu A., Dalvi, Yogesh, Ruby, V., Bhat, Sarita G., Pasquini, Daniel, Kalarikkal, Nandakumar, Thomas, Sabu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alginates; Cellulose - pharmacology; Cellulose nanofibers (CNF); Curcumin; Curcumin - pharmacology; Fibroblast proliferation; Nano bio aerogels; Nanofibers; Porosity; Wound healing
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.119338

Traditional cotton gauze derived from cellulose has many limitations in the processes of wound healing. To overcome these hassles, we used cellulose nanofibers (CNF) incorporated with curcumin for the fabrication of wound healing 3D porous aerogel. Cellulose nanofibers synthesized from plant waste are promising sustainable nanomaterials due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. Ionic cross linking with sodium alginate was performed to maintain the mechanical strength. SEM results revealed highly porous architecture that effectively promoted wound healing, as a result of macro- and micro-porous architecture and curcumin. In-vitro drug release studies showed a slow and steady release pattern. The 3D porous nano bio aerogel with curcumin significantly promoted the migration of fibroblast cells and had excellent antimicrobial activity against pathogenic microorganisms. In-vivo studies showed angiogenesis without rejection or inflammation of the scaffold. From the observations, we can conclude that this novel 3D porous aerogel can be used to treat chronic wounds. Cellulose nanofibers synthesized from agro waste is a promising sustainable nanomaterial due to its biocompatibility and biodegradability. Here in we used cellulose nanofibers (CNF) incorporated with curcumin for the fabrication of wound healing 3D porous aerogel. Ionic cross linking with sodium alginate was performed to maintain the mechanical strength. SEM results revealed highly porous architecture which effectively promoted wound healing, as a result of macro- and micro-porous architecture and curcumin. In-vitro drug release studies showed a slow and steady release pattern. 3D porous nano bio aerogel with curcumin significantly promoted the migration of fibroblast cells and had excellent antimicrobial activity against pathogenic microorganisms. In-vivo studies showed angiogenesis without rejection or inflammation of the scaffold. From the observations we can conclude that this novel 3D porous aerogel can be used to treat chronic wounds. [Display omitted]