Fabrication and Evaluation of Coaxial Core-Shell Electrospun Curcuma xanthorrhiza Nanofibres with Antibacterial Activity
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Introduction: Chronic wounds are a major global health concern because their slow healing increases the risk of infection. Conventional dressings often fail to provide both effective antibacterial protection and optimal moisture control. Electrospun nanofibre membranes, with porous structures that resemble the extracellular matrix, offer a promising alternative. Curcuma xanthorrhiza, a traditional Southeast Asian rhizome, is rich in bioactive compounds such as curcumin and xanthorrhizol, which are known for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. Methods: In this study, coaxial electrospinning was used to create core–shell nanofibre membranes, featuring polycaprolactone as the core and a gelatine/chitosan blend as the shell. Curcuma extract was incorporated at 1% (w/w) into the core. The resulting fibres were examined for their morphology, chemical composition, and thermal stability using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Antibacterial activity was tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli using the disc diffusion method. Results and Discussion: Nanofibres loaded with Curcuma extract were smooth, continuous, and nanoscale in diameter, while fibres without extract were thicker due to a higher polymer concentration. The average fibre diameter ranged from 120.3 to 284.2 nm. Chemical analysis confirmed successful incorporation of the extract, with characteristic functional groups preserved and clear interactions between the polymers and bioactive compounds. Thermal analysis showed the fibres were stable up to 300°C. Antibacterial testing of C. xanthorrhiza-loaded nanofibres demonstrated no activity against S. aureus (0 mm) and E. coli (0 mm). Conclusion: In this study, C. xanthorrhiza-loaded nanofibres exhibit promising physical and chemical properties in their formulation. While the antibacterial activity was limited at the current tested concentration, it is suggested that the loading capacity of the extract be increased.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Journal of Pharmacy at https://journals.iium.edu.my/ktn/index.php/jp is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Akarchariya, N., Sirilun, S., Julsrigival, J., & Chansakaowa, S. (2017). Chemical profiling and antimicrobial activity of essential oil from Curcuma aeruginosa Roxb., Curcuma glans K. Larsen & J. Mood and Curcuma cf. xanthorrhiza Roxb. collected in Thailand. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 7(10), 881–885. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apjtb.2017.09.009
Akhtar, N., Wani, A. K., Mir, T.U.G., Kumar, N., & Mannan, M.A.U. (2021). Ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities. Plant Cell Biotechnology and Molecular Biology. 22 (41-42), 300–319
Ali, S., Khatri, Z., Oh, K. W., Kim, I., & Kim, S. H. (2014). Preparation and Characterization of Hybrid Polycaprolactone / Cellulose Ultrafine Fibres via Electrospinning. Macromolecular Research, 22(5), 562–568. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13233-014-2078-x
Arampatzis, A. S., Kontogiannopoulos, K. N., Theodoridis, K., Aggelidou, E., Rat, A., Willems, A., Tsivintzelis, I., Papageorgiou, V. P., Kritis, A., & Assimopoulou, A. N. (2021). Electrospun wound dressings containing bioactive natural products: Physico-chemical characterization and biological assessment. Biomaterials Research, 25(1), 23. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40824-021-00223-9
Caglayan, B., & Basal, G. (2020). Electrospun Polycaprolactone / Silk Fibroin Nanofibres Loaded with Curcumin for Wound Dressing Applications. Digest Journal of Nanomaterials and Biostructures. 15(4), 1165–1173.
Chen, G., Mi, J., Wu, X., Luo, C., Li, J., Tang, Y., & Li, J. (2011). Structural features and bioactivities of the chitosan. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 49(4), 543–547. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2011.06.009
Chen, Z., Xia, Y., Liao, S., Huang, Y., Li, Y., He, Y., Tong, Z., & Li, B. (2014). Thermal degradation kinetics study of curcumin with nonlinear methods. Food Chemistry, 155, 81–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.01.034
Chiaoprakobkij, N., Suwanmajo, T., Sanchavanakit, N., & Phisalaphong, M. (2020). Curcumin-Loaded Bacterial Cellulose/Alginate/Gelatin as A Multifunctional Biopolymer Composite Film. Molecules, 25(17), 3800. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25173800
Dermawaty, D. E. (2015). Potential extract curcuma (Curcuma xanthorriza , Roxb ) as antibacterials. Jurnal Majority, 4(1), 5–11.
Das, M. P., Suguna, P. R., Prasad, K., Vijaylakshmi, J. V, & Renuka, M. (2017). Extraction and Characterization of Gelatine: A Functional Biopolymer. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 9(9), 4–7. hhtps://doi: 10.22159/ijpps.2017v9i9.17618
Feng, D., Li, Y., Zheng, Y., Chen, J., Zhang, X., Li, K., Shen, J., & Guo, X. (2025). Study on the Electrospinning Fabrication of PCL/CNTs Fiber Membranes and Their Oil–Water Separation Performance. Polymers, 17(12), 1705. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17121705
Ghaee, A., Bagheri-Khoulenjani, S., Afshar, H., & Bogheiri, H. (2019). Biomimetic nanocomposite scaffolds based on surface modified PCL-nanofibres containing curcumin embedded in chitosan/gelatine for skin regeneration. Composites Part B: Engineering, 177, 107339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2019.107339
Ghazalian, M., Afshar, S., Rostami, A., Rashedi, S., & Bahrami, S. H. (2022). Fabrication and characterization of chitosan-polycaprolactone core-shell nanofibres containing tetracycline hydrochloride. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 636, 128163. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.COLSURFA.2021.128163
Gupta, A., Mahajan, S., & Sharma, R. (2015). Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of Curcuma longa rhizome extract against Staphylococcus aureus. Biotechnology Reports, 6, 51–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.btre.2015.02.001
Gürtler, A. L., Linseisen, I., Grohganz, H., & Heinz, A. (2024). Coaxial electrospinning of polycaprolactone – A design of experiments approach. European Polymer Journal, 208(February), 112886. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2024.112886
Hameed, A., Rehman, T. U., Rehan, Z. A., Noreen, R., Iqbal, S., Batool, S., Qayyum, M. A., Ahmed, T., & Farooq, T. (2022). Development of polymeric nanofibres blended with extract of neem (Azadirachta indica), for potential biomedical applications. Frontiers in Materials, 9(November), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2022.1042304
Hassan, N., Ahmad, T., Zain, N. M., & Awang, S. R. (2021). Identification of bovine, porcine and fish gelatin signatures using chemometrics fuzzy graph method. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 9793. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-89358-2
Kocaadam, B., & ?anlier, N. (2017). Curcumin, an active component of turmeric (Curcuma longa), and its effects on health. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 57(13), 2889–2895. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2015.1077195
Komur, B., Bayrak, F., Ekren, N., Eroglu, M. S., Oktar, F. N., Sinirlioglu, Z. A., Yucel, S., Guler, O., & Gunduz, O. (2017). Starch/PCL composite nanofibres by co-axial electrospinning technique for biomedical applications. BioMedical Engineering OnLine, 16(1), 40. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12938-017-0334-y
Koochaki, S., Arabshahi-Delouee, S., Sheikh Arabi, M., Fadavi, A., & Ardebili, A. (2025). Innovation in sustainable packaging for red meat: Electrospun polycaprolactone nanofibres with purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) extract and oil. LWT, 231(August). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2025.118294
Kusumadewi, A. P., Martien, R., Pramono, S., Setyawan, A. A., Windarsih, A., Rohman, A., Kusumadewi, A. P., Martien, R., Pramono, S., Anita, A., Setyawan, A., & Windarsih, A. (2022). Application of FTIR spectroscopy and chemometrics for correlation of antioxidant activities, phenolics and flavonoid contents of Indonesian Curcuma xanthorrhiza. International Journal of Food Properties, 25(1), 2364–2372. https://doi.org/10.1080/10942912.2022.2134418
Lee, L. E. E. Y., Shim, J., & Rukayadi, Y. (2008). Antibacterial Activity of Xanthorrhizol Isolated from Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb. against Foodborne Pathogens. Journal of Food Protection, 71(9), 1926–1930. https://doi.org/10.4315/0362-028X-71.9.1926
Liu, Z., Ramakrishna, S., & Liu, X. (2020). Electrospinning and emerging healthcare and medicine possibilities. APL Bioengineering, 4(3), 30901. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0012309
Lu, X., Zhou, L., & Song, W. (2024). Recent Progress of Electrospun Nanofibre Dressing in the Promotion of Wound Healing. Polymers, 16(18). https://doi.org/10.3390/POLYM16182596
Mahadzir, M. M., Azira, N., & Muhammad, I. (2025). Antioxidant Potential of Curcuma xanthorrhiza -based Serum Stick. Scientific Research Journal, 22(1), 83–100.
Mochane, M. J., Motsoeneng, T. S., Sadiku, E. R., Mokhena, T. C., & Sefadi, J. S. (2019). Morphology and Properties of Electrospun PCL and Its Composites for Medical Applications: A Mini Review. Applied Sciences, 9(11), 2205. https://doi.org/10.3390/app9112205
Momtaz, M., Momtaz, E., Mehrgardi, M. A., Momtaz, F., Narimani, T., & Poursina, F. (2024). Preparation and characterization of gelatine / chitosan nanocomposite reinforced by NiO nanoparticles as an active food packaging. Scientific Reports, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-50260-8
Mouro, C., & Gouveia, I. C. (2024). Electrospun wound dressings with antibacterial function: a critical review of plant extract and essential oil incorporation. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, 44(4), 641–659. https://doi.org/10.1080/07388551.2023.2193859
Muchtaromah, B., Savitri, E., Fitriasari, P., & Istiwandhani, J. (2020). Antibacterial activities of Curcuma mangga Val. extract in some solvents to Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. AIP Conference Proceedings. 2231. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0002490
Nurhadi, B., Saputra, R., Setiawati, T., Husein, S., Faressi, F., Utari, C., Sukri, N., Kayaputri, I., & Setiasih, I. (2020). Comparison of Curcuma domestica and Curcuma xanthorrhiza oleoresins extracted using maceration, Soxhlet, and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 443, 12074. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/443/1/012074
Pan, H., Shen, X., Tao, W., Chen, S., & Ye, X. (2020). Fabrication of Polydopamine-Based Curcumin Nanoparticles for Chemical Stability and pH-Responsive Delivery. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 68(9), 2795–2802. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.9b07697
Performance Standards for Antimicrobial Disk Susceptibility Tests; Approved Standard — Eleventh Edition (Vol. 32, Issue 1). (2012).
Petrai, N., Loukelis, K., & Chatzinikolaidou, M. (2025). Curcumin-Functionalized Electrospun Nanofibrous Membranes with Antimicrobial Activity for Wound Healing. Nanomaterials, 15(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15050388
Pompa-Monroy, D. A., Figueroa-Marchant, P. G., Dastager, S. G., Thorat, M. N., Iglesias, A. L., Miranda-Soto, V., Pérez-González, G. L., & Villarreal-Gómez, L. J. (2020). Bacterial biofilm formation using pcl/curcumin electrospun fibres and its potential use for biotechnological applications. Materials, 13(23), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13235556
Ponce, A. G., Fritz, R., Valle, C. E., & Roura, S. I. (2003). Antimicrobial activity of essential oils on native microbial population of organic Swiss Chard. LWT - Food Science and Technology, 36, 679–684. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0023-6438(03)00088-4
Pradini, D., Juwono, H., Anoraga, K., & Kurniawan, F. (2018). A preliminary study of identification halal gelatine using quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor. Malaysian Journal of Fundamental and Applied Sciences. 14(3), 325–330.
Prijatmoko, D., Syafira, N. L., & Lestari, P. E. (2018). Antibacterial activity of essential oil extracts from Curcuma xanthorrhiza roxb. rhizomes against bacteria causing pulp necrosis. Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science, 3(3), 144. https://doi.org/10.15562/jdmfs.v3i3.763
Rahmadansah, R., Rahayu, D. S., & Raisyadikara, F. (2023). Meta-analysis on extraction methods, pharmacological activities, and cultivation techniques of Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb. Indonesian Journal of Agronomy. 51, 163–172.
Ratrey, P., Dalvi, S. V, & Mishra, A. (2020). Enhancing Aqueous Solubility and Antibacterial Activity of Curcumin by Complexing with Cell-Penetrating Octaarginine. ACS Omega, 5(30), 19004–19013. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.0c02321
Rêgo, T. R. S., Toledo, A. L. M. M., & Dias, M. L. (2025). Effect of Processing on the Morphology and Structure of PLGA/PVA Fibres Produced by Coaxial Electrospinning. Processes, 13(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13061837
Rezaii, M., Oryan, S., & Javeri, A. (2019). Curcumin nanoparticles incorporated collagen-chitosan scaffold promotes cutaneous wound healing through regulation of TGF-?1/Smad7 gene expression. Materials Science and Engineering C, 98(December 2018), 347–357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msec.2018.12.143
Salea, R., Widjojokusumo, E., Veriansyah, B., & Tjandrawinata Phd Ms Mba Frsc Frsph, R. (2014). Optimizing oil and xanthorrhizol extraction from Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb. rhizome by supercritical carbon dioxide. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 51, 2197–2203. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-014-1272-3
Senanayake, D., Yapa, P., Dabare, S., Munaweera, I., Weerasekera, M., Etampawala, T., Sethunga, M., Attygalle, D., & Amarasinghe, S. (2025). Combined antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of electrospun PCL nanohybrids infused with metal-turmeric oleoresin and metal-curcuminoids. RSC Advances, 15, 20061–20083. https://doi.org/10.1039/d5ra01642h
Sleinus, D., Lovato, M. J., Platnieks, O., Sabalina, A., Gaidukovs, S., Franco, L., Puiggalí, J., & del Valle, L. J. (2025). Electrospun antimicrobial poly (lactic acid) foams with nanocellulose for enhanced hydrophilicity and controlled drug release. In RSC Advances (Vol. 15, Issue 9, pp. 6753–6763). https://doi.org/10.1039/d4ra08580a
Hashim, S. & Bakar, M., L. (2024). Antibacterial Activity of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Extract Against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Journal of Academia, 12(2), 195–200.
Tamayo, L., Santana, P., Forero, J. C., Leal, M., González, N., Díaz, M., Guiliani, N., Hamm, E., & Urzúa, M. (2022). Coaxial fibres of poly (styrene-co-maleic anhydride) @poly(vinyl alcohol) for wound dressing applications: Dual and sustained delivery of bioactive agents promoting fibroblast proliferation with reduced cell adherence. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 611, 121292. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJPHARM.2021.121292
Teanchai, K., Witit-anun, N., & Chaikhun, S. (2016). Characterization and Analyzation of Chitosan from Anadara granosa Shell. Key Engineering Materials, 675–676, 463–466. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.675-676.463
Tolun, A., Sharifuzzaman, M., & Altintas, Z. (2025). Electrospun nanofibers of curcumin/HP-beta-CD/pullulan complex with enhanced solubility and controlled release in food and drug delivery applications. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 300, 140064. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.140064
Tsao, N., Chang, Y. C., Hsieh, S. Y., Li, T. C., Chiu, C. C., Yu, H. H., Hsu, T. C., & Kuo, C. F. (2021). AR-12 has a bactericidal activity and a synergistic effect with gentamicin against group a streptococcus. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(21). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222111617
Wang, T., Turhan, M., & Gunasekaran, S. (2004). Selected properties of pH?sensitive, biodegradable chitosan–poly (vinyl alcohol) hydrogel. Polymer International, 53(7), 911–918. https://doi.org/10.1002/pi.1461
Wang, Y., Wang, X., Zhou, D., Xia, X., Zhou, H., Wang, Y., & Ke, H. (2023). Preparation and Characterization of Polycaprolactone (PCL) Antimicrobial Wound Dressing Loaded with Pomegranate Peel Extract. ACS Omega, 8(23), 20323–20331. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.2c08180
Wang, Y., Ying, T., Li, J., Xu, Y., Wang, R., Ke, Q., Shen, S., Xu, H., & Lin, K. (2020). Hierarchical micro/nanofibrous scaffolds incorporated with curcumin and zinc ion eutectic metal organic frameworks for enhanced diabetic wound healing via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Chemical Engineering Journal, 402, 126273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2020.126273
Warmasari, N. W. M., Ernawati, D. K., Indrayani, A. W., Dewi, N. W. S., & Jawi, I. M. (2020). Antibacterial Activity from Temulawak Extract (Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb) on Growth Inhibition of Staphylococcus epidermidis In Vitro. Jurnal Epidemiologi Kesehatan Komunitas, 5(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.14710/jekk.v5i1.6909
Wenchao, L., Shi, L., Zhang, X., Liu, K., Ullah, I., & Cheng, P. (2017). Electrospinning of polycaprolactone nanofibres using H 2 O as benign additive in polycaprolactone/glacial acetic acid solution. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 135, 45578. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.45578
Xia, D., Liu, Y., Cao, W., Gao, J., Wang, D., Lin, M., Liang, C., Li, N., & Xu, R. (2022). Dual-Functional Nanofibrous Patches for Accelerating Wound Healing. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(18). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231810983
Yang, X., Li, L., Yang, D., Nie, J., & Ma, G. (2020). Electrospun Core–Shell Fibrous 2D Scaffold with Biocompatible Poly (Glycerol Sebacate) and Poly-l-Lactic Acid for Wound Healing. Advanced Fibre Materials, 2(2), 105–117. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42765-020-00027-x
Yasmeen, S., Kabiraz, M., Saha, B., Qadir, Md., Gafur, Md., & Masum, S. (2016). Chromium (VI) Ions Removal from Tannery Effluent using Chitosan-Microcrystalline Cellulose Composite as Adsorbent. International Research Journal of Pure and Applied Chemistry, 10(4), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.9734/IRJPAC/2016/23315
Yoshikawa, O., Basoli, V., Boschetto, F., Rondinella, A., Zhu, W., Thieringer, F. M., Xu, H., & Marin, E. (2025). Electrospun Polycaprolactone-Curcumin Scaffolds: Optimization of fibre production for enhanced Nanotopography and improved biological cell adhesion. European Polymer Journal, 222(November 2024), 113616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2024.113616
Yu, H., Chen, X., Cai, J., Ye, D., Wu, Y., & Liu, P. (2019). Dual controlled release nanomicelle-in-nanofibre system for long-term antibacterial medical dressings. Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition, 30(1), 64–76. https://doi.org/10.1080/09205063.2018.1549771
Zhang, H., Guo, M., Zhu, T., Xiong, H., & Zhu, L. M. (2022). A careob-like nanofibres with a sustained drug release profile for promoting skin wound repair and inhibiting hypertrophic scar. Composites Part B: Engineering, 236, 109790. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.COMPOSITESB.2022.109790
Zhao, J., Chen, L., Ma, A., Bai, X., Zeng, Y., Liu, D., Liu, B., Zhang, W., & Tang, S. (2024). Recent advances in coaxial electrospun nanofibres for wound healing. Materials Today Bio, 29(September), 101309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtbio.2024.101309