Curcumin and piperine emulsomes as combinational treatment approach to enhance the anti-biofilm, anti-microbial, and wound healing activities of curcumin

Abstract Curcumin, a polyphenolic substance from turmeric, is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. However, its poor bioavailability limits clinical application. Piperine, an alkaloid from black pepper, enhances curcumin’s bioavailability. Advanced drug delivery systems like emulsomes can improve curcumin’s efficacy by providing targeted and prolonged delivery. This study investigated the combined effects of curcumin and piperine emulsomes on anti-biofilm, antimicrobial, and wound healing activities. The physicochemical properties of the emulsomes were characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The antibacterial activity against biofilm-forming pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa , was evaluated using the well diffusion assay. Kinetics and mechanisms of antibacterial action were analyzed with time-kill assays and membrane degradation studies. Anti-biofilm activity was assessed using the crystal violet assay, and wound healing efficacy was tested in an in vitro scratch assay with 3T3 fibroblast cells. In all assays, the curcumin and piperine emulsomes demonstrated superior activity compared to curcumin alone and blank controls. Hence, we can conclude that curcumin and piperine emulsomes can significantly enhance curcumin’s antimicrobial, anti-biofilm, and wound healing effects, offering a promising combinational treatment approach for microbial infections and wound management.