1 research outputs found
Mechanically Tunable Curcumin Incorporated Polyurethane Hydrogels as Potential Biomaterials
We report here on the one-pot synthesis
and characterization of
curcumin incorporated polyethylene glycol–polyurethane (PU-CUR) hydrogels using PEG-4000,
4, 4′-methylenebis (cyclohexyl isocyanate), curcumin in the
presence of a cross-linker, 1,2,6 hexanetriol (HT). Besides the physical
entrapment, curcumin also provides a partial cross-linking in the
3-D structure of the hydrogel. The degree of swelling in hydrogels
could be controlled by varying the amount of HT as well as curcumin.
The structural characterization of hydrogels was performed using Fourier
transform infrared spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry,
UV and fluorescence spectroscopy. The wide-angle X-ray scattering
studies revealed the existence of crystalline domains of PEG, and
the small-angle X-ray scattering studies showed the presence of lamellar
microstructures. Porous structure in the hydrogel was created by cryogenic
treatment and lyophilization. Scanning electron microscopy and microcomputed
tomography imaging of hydrogels showed the presence of interconnected
pores. The mechanical strength of the hydrogels was measured using
a universal testing machine. The observed tensile and breaking compression
strengths for the equilibrium swollen gels were found to be in the
range of 0.22–0.73 MPa and 1.65–4.6 MPa, respectively.
Detailed in vitro biological experiments showed the biocompatibility
of gels, cytostatic dosage of curcumin, selective toxicity toward
cancer cell lines, and antibacterial property. These gels show promising
applications as scaffolds and implants in tissue engineering