Injectable nanocurcumin-dispersed gelatin–pluronic nanocomposite hydrogel platform for burn wound treatment

To utilize the potent pharmaceutical properties of curcumin (Cur) and gelatin-based materials in tissue regeneration, we fabricated a thermosensitive nanocomposite hydrogel based on pluronic-grafted gelatin (PG) and nanocurcumin (nCur) to enhance burn healing. In this method, the amphiphilic PG played a role as a surfactant to prepare and protect nanosized Cur particles, which could overcome the poor dissolution of the phytochemical. The synthesized PG was identified by $$¹\hbox {H}$$ nuclear magnetic resonance. Depending on the amount of Cur, size distribution of the dispersed nCur ranged from 1.5 ± 0.5 to 16 ± 3.2 nm as observed using transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. The nCur-dispersed PG solution formed nCur–PG nanocomposite hydrogel on warming up to $$35{^\circ }\hbox {C}$$ . Release profile indicated sustainable release of Cur from the injectable platform. Fibroblast cells were well proliferated on the nanocomposite hydrogel. The nCur–PG enhanced the healing process of second-degree burn wound. These results showed potential applications of the biomaterial in tissue regeneration.