SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF CURCUMIN-LOADED NANOETHOSOMES

Abstract

Diabetic wounds represent a serious and growing global health challenge due to their slow healing, high risk of infection, and potential for severe outcomes such as limb amputation. The increasing prevalence of diabetes worldwide underscores the urgent need for effective treatment strategies for chronic wounds. Curcumin, a bioactive compound derived from Curcuma longa, has shown considerable therapeutic potential in wound healing owing to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. However, its clinical application is limited by poor aqueous solubility, low bioavailability, and restricted permeability across biological membranes. To address these limitations, the present study investigated the development and therapeutic efficacy of curcumin-loaded nanoethosomes, a type of lipid-based nanocarrier designed to improve the delivery of poorly soluble compounds. The antioxidant capacity of the nanoformulations were assessed using the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, and results indicated that curcumin-loaded nanoethosomes exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activity compared to free curcumin, suggesting improved stability and radical neutralization ability. The in vivo efficacy of the nanoethosomal formulation was evaluated in a diabetic wound rat model. Animals were divided into three groups: control, standard care, and curcumin-loaded nanoethosomes. Over an 11-day period, wound healing parameters such as wound contraction, granulation tissue formation, and epithelialization were monitored. The group treated with nanoethosomal curcumin showed significantly enhanced healing, with more rapid wound contraction, better granulation tissue development, and faster epithelialization compared to the control and standard care groups. The superior healing effect was attributed to the improved solubility, bioavailability, and sustained release profile of curcumin from the nanoethosomes, which facilitated effective drug delivery to the wound site and reduced oxidative stress. In conclusion, curcumin-loaded nanoethosomes significantly improved diabetic wound healing and represent a promising strategy for future clinical applications. Further studies are needed to optimize the formulation and assess its long-term safety and efficacy in human subjects.

Keywords: Diabetes, Nanoethosomes, Curcumin, Wound Healing, Bioavailability, Antioxidants