Size‐Controllable Curcumin‐Based Metal‐Organic Framework‐Integrated Multifunctional Hydrogel for Wound Healing Through Antibacterial and Antioxidant Properties

Bacterial infection and oxidative stress at wound sites can significantly impede the wound healing process. Curcumin, a versatile and abundant natural product, exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial and antioxidant properties and is under investigation as a promising wound healing agent. However, its inherent limitations, such as low water solubility and bioavailability, hamper its clinical applications. To overcome these challenges and improve biosafety, the development of nanoparticulate curcumin formulation has emerged as a promising strategy. Herein, a curcumin‑based metal-organic framework (Cu/Zn-Cur MOF) was fabricated using a facile and efficient "mixing-diluting" strategy, achieving precise control over particle size through straightforward concentration adjustments of the curcumin-metal ion (Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺) complex. The resulting Cu/Zn-Cur MOFs, which exhibit a well-distributed spherical morphology, demonstrate admirable antioxidant activity by effectively eliminating •OH and •O₂ ^- radicals. Additionally, Cu/Zn-Cur MOFs display broad-spectrum and robust antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, Cu/Zn-Cur MOFs were integrated into a tissue adhesive hydrogel to form a multifunctional wound dressing (PCEM). In vivo studies demonstrated that the biocompatible PCEM exhibited good therapeutic efficacy and promoted infected wound healing. Overall, this work reports a novel strategy for the synthesis of carrier-free curcumin nanoparticles, providing an avenue to broaden the application of insoluble natural active polyphenols.