Project objectives

The general objective of this project is to develop new antibacterial biocomposite hydrogels containing zinc oxide nanoparticles and Curcumin-loaded electrospun nanofibers able to enhance the effectiveness of wound healing process caused by burns. The research studies will be divided into several secondary objectives, all subordinated to the main objective: i) preparation by co-axial electrospinning method of a new type of Curcumin-loaded nanofibers; ii) the preparation of hydrogels based on hyaluronic acid (HA) and sodium alginate (AG) containing zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs); iii) the preparation and physico-chemical characterization of the biocomposite hydrogels containing ZnO NPs and Curcumin-loaded nanofibers (HZ-NFC); iv) the in vitro evaluation of biodegradability, hemocompatibility, cytotoxicity, skin irritation potential and antimicrobial activity of both nanofibers and biocomposite hydrogels.

Project activities

A1: Design, preparation and characterization of curcumin-loaded nanofibers

A2: Design, preparation and characterization of biocomposite hydrogel containing ZnO NPs

(HZ).

A3: Preparation and characterization of biocomposite hydrogel containing ZnO NPs and curcumin-loaded nanofibers (HZ-NFC) and in vitro release and skin permeation studies of curcumin

A4: Evaluation of the biomaterial properties of the curcumin-loaded nanofibers (NFC), biocomposite hydrogel type HZ and biocomposite hydrogel type HZ-NFC

A5: Antimicrobial activity of NFC, HZ and biocomposite hydrogel type HZ-NFC and optimization and selection of biocomposite hydrogels.