Particulate 3D Hydrogels of Silk Fibroin-Pluronic to Deliver Curcumin for Infection-Free Wound Healing

The study developed silk fibroin-pluronic F127 hydrogels incorporating curcumin for enhanced wound healing, demonstrating significant antibacterial properties and biocompatibility. The hydrogels mimic the skin's hierarchical structure and effectively reduce bacterial growth, achieving over 99% reduction in both planktonic and adherent bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Curcumin enhances the hydrogels' structural stability and antibacterial efficiency, while cytotoxicity tests confirm their non-toxicity. The hydrogels show a suitable degradation rate for tissue regeneration, making them promising candidates for infection-free wound dressing applications.