Modified bionanocellulose for bioactive wound-healing dressing

Novel system based on bionanocellulose modified with carboxymethyl groups (mBNC) and covalently attached hydrogel submicron particles with encapsulated curcumin was prepared and its usefulness for the preparation of bioactive wound dressing materials was demonstrated. In order to obtain a well-controlled delivery system, curcumin was first encapsulated in Pluronic. P103 micelles and subsequently entrapped in the particles prepared by the extrusion method using commercially available, relatively inexpensive and biocompatible polymers: sodium alginate (ALG) and hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC). The size of the particles and the feed ratio of curcumin and ALG were optimized during the synthesis in respect with the curcumin loading and release profile. The particles were coated with chitosan and successfully immobilized on the surface of mBNC using EDC/NHC chemistry. The particles attached to the mBNC surface released the curcumin in a sustain, well controlled manner, resembling that of the unbounded particles. Their presence allows for prolonged bioactivity of the potential wound dressing material.