Curcumin/cellulose micro crystals/chitosan films: Water absorption behavior and in vitro cytotoxicity

A new technique, called vapor induced phase inversion (VIPI), has been employed to fabricate cellulose micro crystals (CMC)-loaded chitosan (Ch) films. The method involves immediate exposure of CMC-dispersed chitosan solution to NH3 gas. The films were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analysis. The swelling ratio (SR) of films showed negative dependence on the cellulose content in the films. The dynamic water uptake data were interpreted by various kinetic models. Finally, the release of curcumin from the films was investigated. The CMC-loaded chitosan film showed slower release as compared to the plain chitosan film, suggesting that cellulose micro crystals acted as diffusion barrier. The films were non-cytotoxic, non-thrombogenic and non-hemolytic.