Pickering Emulsion of Curcumin Stabilized by Cellulose Nanocrystals/Chitosan Oligosaccharide: Effect in Promoting Wound Healing

<b>Background:</b> The stabilization of droplets in Pickering emulsions using solid particles has garnered significant attention through various methods. Cellulose and chitin derivatives in nature offer a sustainable source of Pickering emulsion stabilizers. <b>Methods:</b> In this study, medium-chain triglycerides were used as the oil phase for the preparation of emulsion. This study explores the potential of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and shell oligosaccharides (COS) as effective stabilizers for achieving stable Pickering emulsions. Optical microscopy, CLSM, and Cyro-SEM were employed to analyze CNC/COS-Cur, revealing the formation of bright and uniform yellow spherical emulsions. <b>Results:</b> CLSM and SEM results confirmed that CNC/COS formed a continuous and compact shell at the oil-water interface layer, enabling a stable 2~3 microns Pickering emulsion with CNS/COS-Cur as an oil-in-water emulsion stabilizer. Based on FTIR, XRD, and SEM analyses of CNC/COS, along with zeta potential measurements of the emulsion, we found that CNC and COS complexed via electrostatic adsorption, forming irregular rods measuring approximately 200-300 nm in length. An evaluation of the DPPH radical-scavenging ability demonstrated that the CNC/ COS-Cur Pickering emulsion performed well in vitro. In vivo experiments involving full-thickness skin excision surgery in rats revealed that CNC/COS-Cur facilitated wound repair processes. Measurements of the MDA and SOD content in healing tissues indicated that the CNC/COS-Cur Pickering emulsion increased SOD levels and reduced MDA content, effectively countering oxidative stress-induced damage. An assessment based on wound-healing rates and histopathological examination showed that CNC/COS-Cur promoted granulation tissue formation, fibroblast proliferation, angiogenesis, and an accelerated re-epithelialization process within the wound tissue, leading to enhanced collagen deposition and facilitating rapid wound-healing capabilities. An antibacterial efficacy assessment conducted in vitro demonstrated antibacterial activity.