A Novel Curcumin-Loaded Polymeric Wound Dressing With Controlled Drug Release Cytocompatibility, and Antibacterial Performance

Chronic and acute wound management remains one of the most challenging domains in regenerative medicine and biomaterials engineering. Conventional dressings frequently fail to provide optimal moisture balance, antimicrobial protection, anti-inflammatory activity, and accelerated tissue regeneration. Consequently, advanced polymeric wound dressings incorporating natural therapeutic agents have emerged as a major focus of biomedical research from ۲۰۲۰ to ۲۰۲۶. Natural compounds such as curcumin, cinnamon-derived bioactives, aloe vera, honey, green tea polyphenols, Centella asiatica extract, chitosan derivatives, essential oils, and plant-derived flavonoids have demonstrated remarkable antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, angiogenic, and tissue-regenerative properties.Recent developments in polymer science have enabled the fabrication of hydrogel dressings, nanofibrous scaffolds, films, foams, cryogels, sponges, electrospun matrices, and stimuli-responsive systems capable of controlled and targeted release of phytotherapeutic agents. Natural polymers including chitosan, alginate, gelatin, collagen, hyaluronic acid, starch, cellulose, silk fibroin, and synthetic polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), polycaprolactone (PCL), polyurethane (PU), and polylactic acid (PLA) have been extensively investigated for wound healing applications.This review critically examines the scientific progress reported between ۲۰۲۰ and ۲۰۲۶ regarding polymeric wound dressings loaded with natural therapeutic compounds. The article discusses wound healing physiology, biomaterial selection, polymer engineering approaches, mechanisms of action of phytochemicals, fabrication technologies, drug-release systems, antimicrobial strategies, in vitro and in vivo evaluation methods, clinical translation challenges, toxicity concerns, regulatory barriers, and future research directions. The review additionally highlights emerging trends involving smart dressings, nanotechnology integration, AI-assisted wound monitoring, bioresponsive delivery systems, and multifunctional regenerative biomaterials.

کلیدواژه ها:

Curcumin ، Polymeric wound dressing ، Controlled drug release ، Cytocompatibility ، Antibacterial activity ، Wound healing.