Physicochemical characterization, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing potential of cytocompatible Gum Arabic-Curcumin-Cerium oxide Nanocomposites

Global healthcare systems face an enormous economic burden related to oxidative stress diseases and chronic wound treatments. Exploring therapies that regulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) within a non-toxic range could be promising in treating chronic wounds. Hence, this study synthesized the cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) using endophytic Penicillium radiatolobatum. Further, the gum arabic-curcumin-CeO2 nanocomposites (GA-CU-CeO2 NCs) were prepared, characterized, and tested for enhanced antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing effects. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the cubic fluorite structure of GA-CU-CeO2 NCs. FT-IR analysis confirmed the presence of GA and CU in the GA-CU-CeO2 NCs. In TEM analysis, GA-CU-CeO2 NCs appeared in an average size of similar to 25 nm with spherical and oval anisotropic structural distribution. DLS and ELS analysis indicated an average particle size and zeta charge of GA-CU-CeO2 NCs as 202 nm and -22.1 mV, respectively. The GA-CU-CeO2 NCs scavenged ABTS and DPPH radicals with an IC50 of 16.4 mu g/mL and 56.0 mu g/mL, respectively. Besides, GA-CU-CeO2 NCs did not induce apparent toxicity in NIH3T3 and RAW264.7 cells. GA-CU-CeO2 NCs attenuated the ROS-level and associated nucleus damage in H2O2-stressed RAW264.7 cells. GA-CU-CeO2 NCs indicated similar to 90 % of wound gap closure of NIH3T3 cells within 36 h activity while being non-toxic to erythrocytes.