Research Specifications

Nanohydrogels are cross-linked networks of macromolecules that swell in water or biological fluids. They are swollen, a good system for controlling drug delivery, wound healing and the transfer of biologically active macromolecules [1]. The reason for focusing on nanohydrogels is their behavior in response to minor environmental changes such as pH, temperature, ionic strength and soluble compounds that cause controlled changes in their volume [2]. A wide range of materials, such as natural and synthetic polymers, are used as effective drug carriers. Chitosan, a natural polymer, stands out as a first choice material for hydrogels elaboration in biomedical, cosmetic, and health related applications, owing to its interesting properties as biocompatibility, biodegradability, antimicrobial capacity, and mucoadhesive [3]. Also, chitosan has been found to promote cell proliferation, stimulate tissue reorganization, promote collagen deposition and enhance increased production of hyaluronic acid at the wound site and also acts as hemostatic agent, thus helps in wound healing with minimal scar formation [4]. Polyethylene glycol is also a synthetic polymer, which can be used in the preparation of hybrid nanohydrogels. Curcumin, a natural product of the rhizomes of Curcuma longa, has been widely used as coloring agent and spice in food. But studies have shown that curcumin could significantly accelerate the healing of wounds and enhance wound repair in diabetic impaired healing [5]. In this study, first, chitosan nanohydrogels (CSNH) and chitosan-polyethylene glycol nanohydrogels (CS-PEGNH) were made by ionic gelation method. During the production of nanohydrogels, curcumin was trapped in nanohydrogels. Then, spectrophotometric and SEM analysis were used to confirm the production of nanohydrogels and entrapment of curcumin. According to the results of SEM images, the average diameter of CSNH were below 50 nm and the average diameter of CS-PEGNH were approximately 50 nm. Also, t