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Curcumin has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity, and in topical applications, it was successfully used to treat rashes and skin infections. The hydrogel films based on gellan/albumin (BSA) with β-cyclodextrin/curcumin inclusion complex incorporated were prepared at pH = 7.8 by ionic cross-linking with magnesium acetate, to improve the curcumin stability and bioavailability. The films thus obtained were polyelectrolyte complexed with 1% pectin solution pH=3.5. BSA was used in this study due to its therapeutic effects that can lead to improved biocompatibility of the hydrogel film. The films were characterized by swelling degree, SEM, FT-IR, TGA, mechanical tests, cytoxicity, and the antioxidant activity was evaluated. The release kinetics of curcumin from films was performed in two different media: at pH=5.5 and pH=7.4, and a higher release efficiency was found at pH=7.4. The results confirm the biopolymer matrix protective role and the possibility of using the hydrogel obtained in biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chitosan used was of medium molecular weight, with a 75% deacetylation degree. Crosslinking to obtain hydrogels was performed with partially oxidized carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Ox) with NaIO4, to form aldehyde groups by cleaving the C2-C3 bond and the oxidation degree of 45%. The films were obtained by cross-linking as a result of the reaction between the chitosan amine groups with CMC-Ox dialdehyde groups, working at different molar ratios -NH2/-CH=O. The amine groups amount that didn't participate at cross-linking (determined by the ninhydrin test) and the swelling degree value in different mediums decreases as the CMC-Ox amount increases as a result of cross-linking degree. The CMC-Ox and hydrogel films were characterized by SEM, FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy. CMC-Ox could constitute an appropriate cross-linking agent for chitosan having the advantage to avoid the use of another covalent cross-linker, usually toxic and the hydrogel obtained could be used as support for curcumin immobilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]