Curcumin nanoparticles loaded Pangasianodon Hypophthalmus fish collagen/PVA bioactive hydrogel accelerates wound healing by modulating TGF-β1 and MMP-9 expression.

Effective wound healing remains a global challenge, as conventional dressings often hinder recovery. Hydrogels offer a biocompatible alternative, maintaining a moist environment conducive to healing. However, bioactive drug-loaded hydrogels are still limited in clinical use. Curcumin, despite its therapeutic potential, faces limitations in topical use due to poor solubility and skin permeability. Additionally, concerns over bovine and porcine collagen (COL) sources have driven interest in alternative biomaterials. In this study, a bioactive hydrogel was developed by incorporating curcumin nanoparticles (CNPs) into a matrix of type I collagen from Pangasianodon hypophthalmus skin and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Collagen identity was confirmed by amino acid analysis, FTIR and SDS-PAGE. CNPs prepared and measured 118 nm in size. The curcumin nanoparticles-loaded collagen/PVA (CNPs@COL/PVA) hydrogel exhibited pH responsive swelling (up to 1337% at pH 5.4), biodegradation (50-60% over 14 days), optimal water vapor transmission rate (2216.68 ± 65.37 g/m2/day), porosity (59.32 ± 3.34%) and excellent mechanical properties. Structural integrity was validated by FTIR, XRD and FESEM. Biocompatibility was confirmed on 3 T3-L1 cells (>85% viability). Wound scratch assays showed 62.5 μg/mL of CNPs@COL/PVA hydrogel enhanced wound closure (94.92 ± 2.93%) compared to native hydrogel (78.78 ± 3.94%). Ex vivo skin penetration reached 49.78 ± 1.37% over 72 h and drug release followed Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetics (R2 = 0.944). Notably, CNPs@COL/PVA hydrogel significantly upregulated TGF-β1 (1120.13 ± 99.21 pg/mL) and downregulated MMP-9 (5.71 ± 0.55 ng/mL), indicating a favorable molecular response for wound healing. These findings support its potential as an advanced wound dressing.