Novel Physically Cross-Linked Curcumin-Loaded PVA/Aloe vera Hydrogel Membranes for Acceleration of Topical Wound Healing: In Vitro and In Vivo Experiments

This study aims to prepare novel cross-linked antimicrobial membranes composed of PVA-Aloe vera hydrogels using novel physically cross-linked method via transforming PVA to high crystalline structure using propanol. Curcumin was incorporated to improve the membrane biological properties; while gentamycin improved sharply antimicrobial properties. PVA-Aloe vera hydrogel membranes were analyzed by FTIR, SEM, XRD and TGA measurements for characterizing resultant cross-linked membranes. Physicochemical measurements, e.g., swelling and mechanical stability were assessed for further studying the dressings. Antibacterial activity of cross-linked PVA-Aloe vera-curcumin membranes was tested using five bacterial strains. Results showed that high Aloe vera content in cross-linked membranes has insignificant impact on the release of gentamicin. Adult Wister Albino rats were used to test membrane’s ability for improving the wound healing rate in vivo. In vivo findings showed that PVA/Aloe vera/curcumin membranes dramatically reduced the size of mouse full-thickness wounds, as indicated by a decrease in the wound size. Furthermore, histological tests of wounds dressed with membranes revealed a significant re-epithelialization; compared to wounds treated with cotton gauze and PVA/Aloe vera dressings without curcumin, showing curcumin’s efficacy. These results refer to PVA-Aloe vera-curcumin membrane has exceptional wound healing and skin regeneration capacity.