Bio-MOF-Polymeric Hybrid Wound Healing Patch for Enhanced Transdermal Codelivery of Curcumin and Heparin

Abstract

Modern healthcare engineering demands wound dressings with high biocompatibility and robust mechanical strength that enable sustained codrug delivery for acute injuries, effectively controlling infections without side effects. In this study, a unique cryo patch was developed by integrating two biocompatible polymers-poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) in an 8:2 ratio─along with curcumin and heparin encapsulated within the pores of the biocompatible metal–organic framework, zinc l -glutamate (Zn-GA), a well-established bio-MOF. This cryo patch exhibited several superior properties compared to existing wound dressings, including remarkable mechanical durability (13.8 N), an enhanced water swelling ratio (231.1%), antifreezing capability (−46 °C), adhesiveness, self-healing properties, and a substantial drug-loading capacity (approximately 45,000 times more curcumin than water). It also demonstrated sustained drug release, hemocompatibility (hemolysis levels below 2% even at high concentrations of up to 40 mg/mL), and effective antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities. In vitro studies showed excellent cell viability in HaCaT cells, with the curcumin/heparin@patch significantly promoting wound closure during scratch assays. At a low dose of 250 μg/mL, the area occupied by migrated cells increased by 1.5- and 1.6-times compared to the control and drug-free patch, respectively, after 48 h. Furthermore, the cryo patch displayed potential anti-inflammatory properties. These findings highlight the cryo patch’s unique combination of high drug-loading capacity, enhanced wound healing at low drug concentrations, and versatile biocompatibility, making it a promising candidate for advanced wound dressing applications.