Effects of β-cyclodextrin complexation of curcumin and quaternization of chitosan on the properties of the blend films for use as wound dressings

Abstract

The effects of the β-cyclodextrin (CD) complexation of curcumin (CUR) and the quaternization of chitosan (CS) on the properties of the blend films were studied. The quaternized chitosan containing curcumin (CUR-QCS) and the quaternized β-cyclodextrin grafted with chitosan containing curcumin (CUR-QCD-g-CS) were prepared. The CUR-QCS or CUR-QCD-g-CS was blended with 4% w/v of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and cross-linked with glutaraldehyde to improve the mechanical properties of the blend films. These blend films were characterized for their chemical structure, thermal behaviors, mechanical properties, water swelling, and weight loss. In addition, the release study, antioxidant activity, and indirect cytotoxicity were investigated. From the results, the CUR-QCD-g-CS/PVA films showed higher mechanical properties but lower water swelling and weight loss behaviors than the CUR-QCS/PVA films. In addition, the released amount of CUR from the CUR-QCD-g-CS/PVA films and their antioxidant activity were higher than those from the CUR-QCS/PVA films due to the accommodation of CUR inside CD cavity. Thus, the CD complexation of CUR and the quaternization of CS had an effect on the properties of the blend films.