Green Synthesis of Curcumin-Loaded Bacterial Nanocellulose for Topical Application: Preparation and In vivo Study

Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) is typically produced through fermentation using Hestrin Schramm (HS) médium. However, its high cost limits its use in industry. Moreover, curcumin, as a model substance, is a potential bioactive compound but has low bioavailability. This also limits its use for clinical application. Thus, a delivery system using more affordable production of BNC was develop to improve the lack property of curcumin, focusing on topical route.

This study aims to determine the best substrate component according to yield value and evaluate the physical properties as well as the permeation capability of BNC as a delivery matrix system for curcumin.

The optimization of Gluconacetobacter xylinus culture media to produce BNC was conducted using 6 variation substrates consisting of Palmyra sap (PS) and tofu pulp with certain concentrations. Following a nine-day period, the yield of BNC was calculated. The selected BNCs were then impregnated with curcumin-DMSO and curcumin in the form of nanoemulsion (curcumin- NE). Subsequently, the BNCs containing these curcumin forms were characterized. In vitro testing of curcumin reléased from BNC was conducted using Franz difusión cells. In addition, the penetration ability of curcumin across the mice skin was observed using confocal microscopy. In vivo testing was also conducted to ascertain the safety of BNC-loaded curcumin on mice skin.

PS-TP substrate (100:0, S-6) was the most appropriate substrate for BNC production, yielding 118.5±0.09 g/L. CR-DMSO and CR-NE were successfully impregnated into BNC. Confocal data showed that both formulations were able to penétrate the dermis layer. There was no significant difference was observed between the administration of BNC/CR-DMSO and BNC/CR-NE against the control.

BNC successfully produced using palmyra sap shows promising biomembrane for topical delivery of curcumin. No evidence inflammation or neovascularization in BNC/CR-DMSO- and BNC/CR-NE-treated mice confirms the safety use of this biomembrane.