Investigation of the efficacy of gelatin-tannin hydrogels for the delivery of biologically active substances using curcumin as an example

Abstract

Wound healing is a complex process that requires a comprehensive approach to treatment. Hydrogel materials modified with bioactive substances (BAS) are currently under active development. Such materials represent an alternative to conventional dressings. The inclusion of BAS in their composition opens the way to providing the required properties (antiseptic, antioxidant, etc.). Curcumin is one of a number of polyflavonoids that are being intensively studied for such use. Objective: in the current work, the method of obtaining gelatin-tannin hydrogels with BAS (curcumin), as well as the efficiency of isolation of the injected substance in vitro and the characteristics of its binding to the polymer matrix are considered. Materials and methods. The object of the study is gelatin-tannin hydrogels with curcumin. The structure of the materials was studied by IR spectroscopy, the sorption parameters were determined gravimetrically, the release of curcumin was studied by visible spectroscopy and analyzed using conventional pharmacokinetic models. Results. In the course of the work, hydrogel materials based on gelatin and tannin with a curcumin content from 0.1 to 1.0% were synthesized. It was found that the incorporation of curcumin into the polymer mesh was successful and curcumin is not released from hydrogels when swelling in distilled water. The introduction of curcumin into the formulation reduced the sorption capacity of hydrogels in distilled water from 15 g/g to 7-9 g/g. The Higuchi model (R2>0.95) was determined to be the most optimal model describing the process of curcumin extraction from materials. Using the description of the release kinetics, it was determined that the maximum release (22%) was achieved with a minimum curcumin content in the hydrogel (0.1 wt.%) and the minimum release speed. Conclusion. A method for the synthesis of gelatin-tannin hydrogels with curcumin has been developed. The structure of materials, sorption capacity, and the ability to release BAS have been studied. Further prospects for the inclusion of other BAS of a hydrophobic nature in the composition of hydrogels are shown.