Table 3.
Curcumin–metal oxide incorporated films, patches, and hydrogels and their corresponding therapeutic performances.
| Therapeutic Agent | Synthesis Approach | Study Models | Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMC/curcumin/ZnO film [77] | Solution-casting method | L. monocytogenes and E. coli DPPH• and ABTS•+ |
↓ Visible-light transparency, UV transmittance blocked, ↑ Mechanical strength and stiffness, but ↓ flexibility ↓ WVP, optimal antibacterial and antioxidant properties |
| SSPS/TiO2 nanoparticles/curcumin film [95] | Solution-casting method | P. aeruginosa and S. aureus | ↓ WVP, ↑ mechanical, antimicrobial effect, pH-dependent color change |
| Nonwoven polypropylene/chitosan/curcumin TiO2 (MCUT) [75] | Suspension-casting | In vitro: E. coli and S. aureus In vivo: MRSA-inoculated Sprague–Dawley rats |
Moderated water uptake, delayed drug release pattern In vitro ↑ antibacterial effect In vivo: better wound contraction, bacterial growth inhibition, re-epithelialization, and good collagen organization |
| PVA/SA/TiO2–cur [97] | Slurry-casting | In vitro: B. subtilis, K. pneumonia, S. aureus, E. coli, Candida albicans (C. albicans), Aspergillus niger (A. niger) |
Anti-fungal effect > clotrimazole, but < fluconazole antibiotics Effective antibacterial effect at 100 µg concentration for all bacteria than streptomycin antibiotics |
| Sodium alginate SA/PVA/TiO2/curcumin patch [98] | Gel-casting method | In vitro: B. subtilis, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa In vivo: incision-wound-induced 18 Wistar albino rats |
Good swelling rate → capable of absorbing exudate, water absorption rate and hemolytic assay within optimal limits, antibacterial effect against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria Nontoxic towards NIH3T3 cells In vivo: ↓ necrosis, complete re-epithelialization, uniform collagen and fibrous tissues |
| ZnO–curcumin incorporated collagen wound dressing [99] | Dip-coating of commercial collagen skin-wound dressing material in curcumin/ZnO suspension | CoNS | ↑ CoNS cell death compared to viable control, CoNS cell clustering and lack of cell integrity |
| ZnO NPs in dimethyl cellulose-crosslinked chitosan hydrogel [101] | Solution-based preparation in the presence of ZnO NPs then soaking dried gel in curcumin solution | L929, A431 | ↑ Drug loading capacity (30% ↑ by incorporating ZnO) enhanced the mechanical properties ↑ Cytotoxicity towards L929↑ Cytotoxicity against A431 |
| Ceria and curcumin in gelatin–glucan-based hydrogel [102] | Dispersion of curcumin and CeO2 in the hydrogel by physical interactions | HaCat | ↑ Mechanical stability, stable elastic behavior, no significant ↓ swelling ratio by incorporating ceria in hydrogel Faster degradation, controlled drug release behavior Biocompatible with HaCat, Show antioxidant property against H2O2 treated HaCat |
Abbreviations: ↑ = increase; ↓ = decrease; → = implies; CUR = curcumin; > = greater than; < = less than; CMC = carboxymethyl cellulose; ZnO = zinc oxide; DPPH• = 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl; ABTS = 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid); UV = ultraviolet; SSPS = soluble soybean polysaccharide; WVP = water vapor permeability; TiO2 = titanium dioxide; MRSA = methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; PVA = polyvinyl alcohol; SA = sodium alginate; NIH3T3 = murine fibroblast cell, CoNS = coagulase negative Staphylococci; L929 = murine fibroblast; A431 = human skin carcinoma; HaCat = human keratinocyte; H2O2 = hydrogen peroxide.