Evaluation of curcumin release from wound dressing based on gelatin and sturgeon-derived chondroitin sulfate

Wound healing is a complex and dynamic process that affects the quality of patients' live, and requires a suitable environment and an optimal way to improve. Wound dressings are commonly chosen to health damaged skin tissue. In this study, chondroitin sulfate (CS) was firstly extracted from bester (a sturgeon fish), and oxidized to form Schiff’s linkage between free amino groups of the protein and the aldehyde groups of the polyaldehyde. Hydrogels from gelatin (Gel)-oxidized chondroitin sulfate (OCS) were prepared with different ratios. Then, curcumin (C)-loaded chitosan (Ch) nanoparticles were synthesized and added in different amounts to the optimal hydrogel; then, necessary evaluations were performed and compared with commercial dressing (GELITA). The results showed that the final composite had characteristics such as interconnecting pores ranging 53–197 µm, compression modulus of 0.061 MPa, swelling of 73.35 %, and stability of 58.9 % after 14 days. Also, cytotoxicity evaluation was performed on samples for 24 h with L929 cells which showed composites were less toxic than pure hydrogels. These results suggest that the prepared composite may be suitable for improving cell behavior and wound healing.