Guar gum/Kappa carrageenan-based hydrogel reinforced with surface altered, curcumin@ZIF-8: Assessing its ability to accelerate wound closure

This study reports the development of a bioresorbable hydrogel based on κ-carrageenan (KC) and guar gum (GG) reinforced with cerium-doped, curcumin-loaded ZIF-8 nanoparticles (Ce@CUR/ZIF-8) to enhance curcumin's wound healing management. UV–Vis absorption spectra confirmed encapsulation of curcumin within ZIF-8. FESEM analysis revealed that the ZIF-8 particles had an average diameter of 157.6 ± 15.7 nm, which increased to 172.7 ± 12.8 nm following curcumin loading and cerium doping. The nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed within the KC–GG hydrogel matrix, which was systematically evaluated for its moisture-retention capacity, structural characteristics, mechanical strength, and sustained curcumin release profile. The compressive strength of the hydrogel increased from 0.0317 ± 0.99 MPa to 0.0547 ± 0.72 MPa upon addition of the nanocomposite, demonstrating improved mechanical integrity. Cytocompatibility was assessed using the MTT assay, which revealed 90% cell viability on day 5, confirming its biocompatibility. In vivo studies indicated that Ce@CUR/ZIF-8 promoted the greatest degree of wound closure, due to the synergistic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of cerium and curcumin. Histopathological evaluations further revealed accelerated tissue regeneration characterized by enhanced fibroblast proliferation, neovascularization, and collagen deposition. Overall, KC–GG hydrogels integrated with Ce@CUR/ZIF-8 nanoparticles represent a promising platform for advanced wound-care applications.