{"id":5402,"date":"2026-02-25T09:50:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T02:50:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www2.si.mahidol.ac.th\/department\/biochemistry\/?p=5402"},"modified":"2026-03-30T11:26:46","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T04:26:46","slug":"photothermally-triggered-double-layer-hydrogels-containing-curcumin-loaded-pullulan-derivatives-for-controlled-drug-delivery-and-wound-healing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.si.mahidol.ac.th\/department\/biochemistry\/en\/photothermally-triggered-double-layer-hydrogels-containing-curcumin-loaded-pullulan-derivatives-for-controlled-drug-delivery-and-wound-healing\/","title":{"rendered":"Photothermally triggered double-layer hydrogels containing curcumin-loaded pullulan derivatives for controlled drug delivery and wound healing"},"content":{"rendered":"
Punnida Nonsuwan<\/strong>, Preeyaporn Plaimee Phiboonchaiyanan, Verisa Chowjarean, Premjit Limpamanoch, Supaporn Santhan, Namon Hirun, Pakorn Kraisit <\/p>\n The development of advanced wound healing materials has garnered significant interest due to their potential to enhance therapeutic outcomes. This study presents a novel double-layer hydrogel system for the controlled release of curcumin under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. The bottom layer, designed to incorporate curcumin, was formulated using pullulan conjugated with \u03b2-cyclodextrin and methacrylate (Pul-\u03b2CD-MA) in combination with poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA). This combination significantly enhances curcumin solubility while improving the mechanical properties of the hydrogel. The top layer, composed of methacrylate-modified pullulan (Pul-MA) and polydopamine, serves as a photothermally responsive layer that converts NIR light into heat. The hydrogels were characterized by their morphology, mechanical properties, and drug release behavior. Upon NIR irradiation, the top-layer temperature increased to 40 \u00b0C, facilitating controlled release of curcumin from the bottom layer and yielding a cumulative release of 33 % under NIR, compared with 15 % in the absence of NIR. In vitro cell-migration assays demonstrated significantly enhanced wound closure when curcumin-loaded hydrogels were exposed to NIR irradiation. Biocompatibility with human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) was confirmed, with no detectable cytotoxicity. This innovative double-layer hydrogel enables externally stimulus-responsive drug release and promotes effective wound healing. These findings position the double-layer hydrogel as a promising platform for advanced wound care with potential applications in controlled drug delivery.<\/p>\nAbstract<\/h2>\n