In Vivo Efficacy of Curcumin-Encapsulated Polymeric Nanocarriers Enriched Nanogel for Accelerated Burn Wound Recovery

Burn injuries remain a major global health concern, leading to long-term complications, including scarring, infections, and delayed healing. The current study investigates the in vivo efficacy of curcumin-loaded polymeric nanoparticles (CuR-PNPs) for enhancing the healing process in burn wounds. Curcumin, a natural compound with well-documented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, was encapsulated in polymeric nanoparticles to improve its bioavailability and therapeutic potential. In vivo studies were conducted on male Wistar albino rats with second-degree burn wounds, comparing the wound healing outcomes of CuR-PNPs gel, plain CuR-gel, and a marketed formulation (Burn Eaz gel). Results demonstrated that CuR-PNPs significantly accelerated wound contraction and reduced epithelization time compared to the other formulations. Furthermore, the CuR-PNPs gel exhibited minimal skin irritation and improved drug retention in the epidermis and dermis, promoting sustained curcumin release at the wound site. These findings suggest that polymeric nanoparticles offer a promising strategy for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of curcumin in burn wound management.