EFFECT OF CHITOSAN HYDROGEL-LOADED TURMERIC EXTRACT ON OXIDATIVE STRESS MARKERS IN DIABETIC WOUNDS IN RATS

Abstract

Delayed wound healing is one of the most severe complications of diabetes mellitus with significant resultant morbidity and mortality. It is currently believed that oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in diabetic wound healing. An imbalance of free radicals leads to cell damage. tissue damage and delayed wound healing. This study investigated the effect of chitosan hydrogel loaded with turmeric extract on oxidative stress markers in diabetic wounds in rats. Diabetes was induced in the rats using alloxan, and after confirmation of diabetes by their high blood glucose level of more than 200mg/dl, the wound was created on the dorsal parts of their body. Diabetic rats were grouped into three, each group containing 5 rats. Two other groups served as the controls (not induced with diabetes) and the negative control (untreated). The three groups were treated with turmeric extract, naïve and the loaded hydrogel, respectively. At the end of the treatment, wound tissue was collected for analyses of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Results showed that the chitosan hydrogel loaded turmeric extracts significantly mitigated oxidative stress, evidenced by a marked decrease in MDA levels (P<0.05) and an increase in the activities of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, GSH, SOD) compared to the untreated diabetic group (P<0.05). Overall, the results demonstrated that chitosan hydrogel loaded with turmeric improved antioxidant status in the wound tissue of diabetic rats, confirming its therapeutic efficacy for wound management.