Curcumin Nanoparticles and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes Embedded in Gelatin Hydrogel Enhance Healing of Severe Burns

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Curcumin Nanoparticles and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes Embedded in Gelatin Hydrogel Enhance Healing of Severe Burns Publisher

Esfahlani MA ; Ebrahimibarough S ; Imani R ; Lotfibakhshaiesh N ; Bahrami N ; Namini MS ; Jahromi HK ; Sepehri M ; Naser R ; Zare S ; Nilforoushzadeh MA ; Amirkhani MA ; Ai J

Source: Burns Published:2026

Abstract

Severe burn injuries present a significant clinical challenge due to prolonged inflammation, delayed re-epithelialization, and high risk of infection. Recent advances in regenerative medicine have highlighted the potential of combining bioactive compounds with cell-derived products to enhance tissue repair. In this study, we developed a novel therapeutic hydrogel composed of gelatin, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes, and nanocurcumin (nCur) for promoting burn wound healing. The nanocurcumin was synthesized using a precipitation method and characterized for size, morphology, and loading efficiency. Exosomes were isolated from MSC culture supernatants using differential ultracentrifugation and confirmed via nanoparticle tracking analysis and CD63 expression. The gelatin hydrogel was loaded with both bioactive agents to form a composite wound dressing. In vitro assays demonstrated that the dual-loaded hydrogel enhanced fibroblast proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis compared to hydrogels containing only exosomes or nCur. In vivo studies using a rat deep second-degree burn model revealed that wounds treated with the exosome-nCur hydrogel exhibited significantly faster closure, enhanced granulation tissue formation, increased collagen deposition, and reduced inflammation compared to controls. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses confirmed enhanced re-epithelialization and neovascularization in the treated groups. Our results suggest that the complementary action of exosomes and nanocurcumin, delivered via a biocompatible gelatin matrix, can effectively accelerate burn wound healing by modulating inflammation, promoting angiogenesis, and supporting tissue regeneration. This multifunctional hydrogel dressing represents a promising and clinically translatable approach for advanced wound care. © 2026 Elsevier Ltd and International Society of Burns Injuries.

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Style	Citing Format
MLA	Esfahlani MA, et al.. "Curcumin Nanoparticles and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes Embedded in Gelatin Hydrogel Enhance Healing of Severe Burns." Burns, vol. 52, no. 6, 2026, pp. -.
APA	Esfahlani MA, Ebrahimibarough S, Imani R, Lotfibakhshaiesh N, Bahrami N, Namini MS, Jahromi HK, Sepehri M, Naser R, Zare S, Nilforoushzadeh MA, Amirkhani MA, Ai J (2026). Curcumin Nanoparticles and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes Embedded in Gelatin Hydrogel Enhance Healing of Severe Burns. Burns, 52(6), -.
Chicago	Esfahlani MA, Ebrahimibarough S, Imani R, Lotfibakhshaiesh N, Bahrami N, Namini MS, Jahromi HK, et al.. "Curcumin Nanoparticles and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes Embedded in Gelatin Hydrogel Enhance Healing of Severe Burns." Burns 52, no. 6 (2026): -.
Harvard	Esfahlani MA et al. (2026) 'Curcumin Nanoparticles and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes Embedded in Gelatin Hydrogel Enhance Healing of Severe Burns', Burns, 52(6), pp. -.
Vancouver	Esfahlani MA, Ebrahimibarough S, Imani R, Lotfibakhshaiesh N, Bahrami N, Namini MS, et al.. Curcumin Nanoparticles and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes Embedded in Gelatin Hydrogel Enhance Healing of Severe Burns. Burns. 2026;52(6):-.
BibTex	@article{ author = {Esfahlani MA and Ebrahimibarough S and Imani R and Lotfibakhshaiesh N and Bahrami N and Namini MS and Jahromi HK and Sepehri M and Naser R and Zare S and Nilforoushzadeh MA and Amirkhani MA and Ai J}, title = {Curcumin Nanoparticles and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes Embedded in Gelatin Hydrogel Enhance Healing of Severe Burns}, journal = {Burns}, volume = {52}, number = {6}, pages = {-}, year = {2026} }
RIS	TY - JOUR AU - Esfahlani MA AU - Ebrahimibarough S AU - Imani R AU - Lotfibakhshaiesh N AU - Bahrami N AU - Namini MS AU - Jahromi HK AU - Sepehri M AU - Naser R AU - Zare S AU - Nilforoushzadeh MA AU - Amirkhani MA AU - Ai J TI - Curcumin Nanoparticles and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes Embedded in Gelatin Hydrogel Enhance Healing of Severe Burns JO - Burns VL - 52 IS - 6 SP - EP - PY - 2026 ER -

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