preparation and evaluation of porous gel-foam containing curcumin nanocrystals

Abstract

Since dry socket is one of the most common problems after tooth extraction, many researchers have tried to find a successful way to prevent it. Gelfoams containing antibacterial agents are one of the most important and effective categories of these solutions. The aim of this study was to prepare and evaluate surgical gelatin gelfoam containing nanocurcumin. Materials and Methods: In this study, gelatin gelfoam containing curcumin nanoparticles (60 mg / ml, particle size 110 nm) was first prepared by mechanical aeration and freez-drying. For comparison, gelatin without nanocurcumin was made by the same method. The prepared gels were initially evaluated using conventional physicochemical methods. Then, the antimicrobial effects of gelfoames teste by disk diffusion method against gram-negative Escherichia coli and gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. Finally, citrate plasma and measurement of blood coagulation time (with the formation of the first signs of coagulation) were used to test the hemostatic effects. Descriptive statistics were used to express the data (mean ±standard deviation). T-test was used to compare the mean values and values less than 0.05 were considered as significant levels. Results: Curcumin-containing gelfoams as a porous spongy structure with nanometer-sized cavities without any excess interaction between gelatin and nanocurcumin and with a crystalline structure mixed with amorphous, with a high percentage of curcumin loading (95%) and a slow release pattern were obtained. According to the microbial results, nano-curcumin-containing gelfoam showed a significant lack of growth against the bacteria used compared to the curcumin-free gelfoam (p value of ). Gelfoam without curcumin had no antimicrobial effect. Finally, according to the results of blood coagulation test, with and without curcumin compared to standard surgical gelfoam in less time caused blood coagulation effects, which was significant in both cases (p value of 0.001 and 0.004, respectively). Conclusion: According to the results, gelfoam prepared with special physicochemical properties and effective antimicrobial effects against selected bacteria, were also able to produce anticoagulant effects in less time compared to standard gelfoam. So the structure of the prepared gelfoams and the addition of nanocurcumin to the made gelfoam not only did not stop the blood from clotting but also improved its timing. Therefore, it seems that the prepared gelfoams can be used in the prevention or treatment of dry socket. However, the realization of this requires extensive cellular, animal studies and clinical phase implementation in humans.