QbD-optimized curcumin-lignin nanoparticle spray for targeted wound infection therapy against Escherichia coli and Mycobacterium smegmatis - research

Aug 29, 2026

Uploaded by Skyler

Chronic wounds infected with multidrug-resistant bacteria require biocompatible, effective interventions. This study develops a lignin-based nanoparticle spray enabling localized curcumin delivery, leveraging lignin’s sustainable polyphenolic antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Curcumin-loaded lignin nanoparticles were synthesized and optimized via a Quality by Design strategy, then incorporated into an Eudragit-L100 film-forming spray for targeted skin application. Optimized particles showed nanoscale size, stable zeta potential, high encapsulation, rapid spray drying, sustained Higuchi-mode release, improved ex vivo skin permeation, deep penetration confirmed by CLSM, strong antibacterial efficacy, and antioxidant activity, supporting wound healing and infection control toward patient-friendly personalized therapy.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages34

Reading Time1 h 26 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Wound healing and infection challenges

Materials and methods

Nanoparticle synthesis and QbD optimization

Spray formulation and characterization

Results

Physicochemical properties and drug release

Ex vivo permeation and skin penetration

Antibacterial and antioxidant activities

Conclusion

Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition ISSN: 0920-5063 (Print) 1568-5624 (Online) Journal [homepage: ](homepage: www.tandfonline.com/journals/tbsp20)[www.tandfonline.com/journals/tbsp20](homepage: www.tandfonline.com/journals/tbsp20) QbD-optimized curcumin-lignin nanoparticlespray for targeted wound infection therapy against Escherichia coli and Mycobacterium smegmatis Muskan Goyal, Naman Batra, Harish Vishkarma, Lub na Siddiqui, Saurabh Mittal, Garima Sharma, Vartika Mathur & Sushama Talegaonkar To cite this article: Muskan Goyal, Naman Batra, Harish Vishkarma, Lub na Siddiqui, Saurabh Mittal, Garima Sharma, Vartika Mathur & Sushama Talegaonkar (2026) QbD-optimized curcumin-lignin nanoparticle spray for targeted wound infection therapy against Escherichia coli and Mycobacterium smegmatis, Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition, 37:7, 1227-1259, DOI: 10. 1080/09205063 .2025.2551917 To link to this article: [https://doi.org/10.1080/09205063.2025.2551917](https://doi.org/10.1080/09205063.2025.2551917) Published online: 04 Sep 2025. | Submit your article to this journal | | | --- | --- | | | Article views: 235 | | | View related articles | | View Crossmark data | | | Citing articles: 1 View citing articles | | Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at [https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=tbsp20](https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=tbsp20) QbD-optimized curcumin-lignin nanoparticle spray for targeted wound infection therapy against Escherichia coli and Mycobacterium smegmatis Muskan Goyala, Naman Batrab, Harish Vishkarmaa, Lubna Siddiquic, Saurabh Mittalb, Garima Sharmad, Vartika Mathurd and Sushama Talegaonkara adepartment. of Pharmaceutics, delhi Pharma sciences and research university (dPsru)Govt of nct of delhi, new delhi, india; bdepartment of Pharmaceutics, amity institute of Pharmacy, amity university, noida, u.P, india; cdepartment of Pharmaceutics, school of Pharmaceutical education and research, new delhi, india; danimal Plant interactions lab, division of Zoology, sri Venkateswara college, delhi university, new delhi, india ABSTRACT Chronic wounds infected with multidrug-resistant bacteria pose a significant therapeutic challenge, requiring biocompatible and effective interventions. This study presents a novel lignin-based nanoparticle spray for the localized delivery of curcumin, a natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial compound. Lignin, a sustainable polyphenolic biopolymer with inherent antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, was used both as a carrier and functional agent. Curcumin-loaded lignin nanoparticles (CLLNPs) were synthesized using a dialysis-based solvent displacement method and optimized through a Quality by Design approach. These nanoparticles were incorporated into a Eudragit-L100-based film-forming spray for targeted skin application. The optimized CLLNPs exhibited a mean particle size of 119.2 ± 2.1 nm, PDI of 0.167, zeta potential of −21.5 mV, and high encapsulation efficiency (97.58 ± 0.67%). The spray dried quickly within 60 s, showed good film uniformity, mechanical stability, and a skin-compatible pH of 6.21. In vitro release followed Higuchi kinetics, with 88.76% curcumin released within 6 h. Ex vivo skin permeation studies demonstrated enhanced drug penetration (165.62 µg/cm2/h), and CLSM confirmed uniform, deep nanoparticle penetration into skin layers. The formulation exhibited strong antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Mycobacterium smegmatis, along with potent antioxidant activity (91.85% DPPH scavenging at 500 µg/mL). Together, these findings highlight the potential of lignin-based nanocarriers to offer a synergistic, sustainable, and patient-friendly approach to wound healing and infection control, aligning with the goals of personalized medicine. Abbreviation: ANOVA: Analysis of Variance; BLNP/BLNP: B

FAQs

What problem does the study target in wound care?

It addresses chronic wounds infected with multidrug-resistant bacteria, which are difficult to treat due to delayed healing and high infection susceptibility.

How are the curcumin-lignin nanoparticles prepared and optimized?

Curcumin-loaded lignin nanoparticles are synthesized using a dialysis-based solvent displacement method and optimized using a Quality by Design approach.

What performance results are reported for the optimized formulation?

The optimized spray shows rapid drying, good film uniformity and mechanical stability, skin-compatible pH, Higuchi-mode in vitro release with high curcumin release over 6 h, and enhanced ex vivo skin permeation with deep penetration confirmed by CLSM.

Which antibacterial and antioxidant effects are demonstrated?

The formulation exhibits strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Mycobacterium smegmatis and shows potent antioxidant activity measured by DPPH scavenging.

Aug 29, 2026

Uploaded by Skyler