2D–2D MoS2/g-C3N4 hybrid-loaded chitosan/PVA hydrogel for controlled curcumin delivery in diabetic wound healing

Thanaphorn Rakkan; Paul D. Topham; Anisa Mahomed; Brian J. Tighe; Matthew J. Derry; Tharnthip Krasian; Nuttapol Tanadchangsaeng; Narongrit Srikaew; Runglawan Somsunan; Kittisak Jantanasakulwong; Pornchai Rachtanapun; Patnarin Worajittiphon

doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.148185

2D–2D MoS2/g-C3N4 hybrid-loaded chitosan/PVA hydrogel for controlled curcumin delivery in diabetic wound healing

Thanaphorn Rakkan
, Paul D. Topham
, Anisa Mahomed
, Brian J. Tighe
, Matthew J. Derry
, Tharnthip Krasian
, Nuttapol Tanadchangsaeng
, Narongrit Srikaew
, Runglawan Somsunan
, Kittisak Jantanasakulwong
, Pornchai Rachtanapun
, Patnarin Worajittiphon^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Chiang Mai University
Rangsit University
Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

6 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Diabetic wounds are often chronic, delaying healing and increasing amputation risk. Curcumin (CR), known for therapeutic benefits, has been explored for such wounds. This study developed a novel chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) (CP)-based hydrogel incorporating molybdenum disulfide (MoS ), graphitic carbon nitride (g-C N ), and their 2D-2D hybrid (MoS /g-C N ) for CR delivery. The hybrid was synthesized via facile sonication and characterized using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. MoS /g-C N significantly enhanced hydrogel mechanical strength and drug release. The CP/MoS /g-C N /CR hydrogel exhibited higher toughness (3.35 ± 0.10 GJ/m ) than CP/MoS /CR (1.53 ± 0.51 GJ/m ) and CP/CR (0.01 ± 0.00 GJ/m ), attributed to hydrogen bonding with the CP matrix. The hydrogel released 77.96 % CR within 4 days, outperforming CP/g-C N /CR due to greater hydrolytic degradation at pH 6.8. Release followed Korsmeyer-Peppas and Higuchi models, indicating diffusion and polymer swelling. The hybrid hydrogel also showed strong antioxidant activity (88.86 ± 0.07 % DPPH scavenging activity), antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative strains, and cytocompatibility (78 ± 2 % viability in L929 fibroblasts after 72 h). These findings suggest that CP/MoS /g-C N /CR hydrogel is a promising candidate for efficient CR delivery, potentially enhancing diabetic wound healing.

Original language	English
Article number	148185
Number of pages	17
Journal	International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
Volume	330
Early online date	13 Oct 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.148185
Publication status	Published - 1 Nov 2025

Bibliographical note

Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. This accepted manuscript version is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

PVA
Drug delivery
g-C(3)N(4)
Hydrogel
MoS(2)
Chitosan
Hybrid material

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10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.148185

Cite this

Rakkan, T., Topham, P. D., Mahomed, A., Tighe, B. J., Derry, M. J., Krasian, T., Tanadchangsaeng, N., Srikaew, N., Somsunan, R., Jantanasakulwong, K., Rachtanapun, P., & Worajittiphon, P. (2025). 2D–2D MoS2/g-C3N4 hybrid-loaded chitosan/PVA hydrogel for controlled curcumin delivery in diabetic wound healing. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 330, Article 148185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.148185

@article{049803ddcbcb4b07b100de53f1b353dd,

title = "2D–2D MoS2/g-C3N4 hybrid-loaded chitosan/PVA hydrogel for controlled curcumin delivery in diabetic wound healing",

abstract = "Diabetic wounds are often chronic, delaying healing and increasing amputation risk. Curcumin (CR), known for therapeutic benefits, has been explored for such wounds. This study developed a novel chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) (CP)-based hydrogel incorporating molybdenum disulfide (MoS ), graphitic carbon nitride (g-C N ), and their 2D-2D hybrid (MoS /g-C N ) for CR delivery. The hybrid was synthesized via facile sonication and characterized using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. MoS /g-C N significantly enhanced hydrogel mechanical strength and drug release. The CP/MoS /g-C N /CR hydrogel exhibited higher toughness (3.35 ± 0.10 GJ/m ) than CP/MoS /CR (1.53 ± 0.51 GJ/m ) and CP/CR (0.01 ± 0.00 GJ/m ), attributed to hydrogen bonding with the CP matrix. The hydrogel released 77.96 \% CR within 4 days, outperforming CP/g-C N /CR due to greater hydrolytic degradation at pH 6.8. Release followed Korsmeyer-Peppas and Higuchi models, indicating diffusion and polymer swelling. The hybrid hydrogel also showed strong antioxidant activity (88.86 ± 0.07 \% DPPH scavenging activity), antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative strains, and cytocompatibility (78 ± 2 \% viability in L929 fibroblasts after 72 h). These findings suggest that CP/MoS /g-C N /CR hydrogel is a promising candidate for efficient CR delivery, potentially enhancing diabetic wound healing.",

keywords = "PVA, Drug delivery, g-C(3)N(4), Hydrogel, MoS(2), Chitosan, Hybrid material",

author = "Thanaphorn Rakkan and Topham, \{Paul D.\} and Anisa Mahomed and Tighe, \{Brian J.\} and Derry, \{Matthew J.\} and Tharnthip Krasian and Nuttapol Tanadchangsaeng and Narongrit Srikaew and Runglawan Somsunan and Kittisak Jantanasakulwong and Pornchai Rachtanapun and Patnarin Worajittiphon",

note = "Copyright {\textcopyright} 2025 Elsevier B.V. This accepted manuscript version is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",

year = "2025",

month = nov,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.148185",

language = "English",

volume = "330",

journal = "International Journal of Biological Macromolecules",

issn = "1879-0003",

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Rakkan, T, Topham, PD , Mahomed, A , Tighe, BJ , Derry, MJ, Krasian, T, Tanadchangsaeng, N, Srikaew, N, Somsunan, R, Jantanasakulwong, K, Rachtanapun, P & Worajittiphon, P 2025, '2D–2D MoS2/g-C3N4 hybrid-loaded chitosan/PVA hydrogel for controlled curcumin delivery in diabetic wound healing', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, vol. 330, 148185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.148185

TY - JOUR

T1 - 2D–2D MoS2/g-C3N4 hybrid-loaded chitosan/PVA hydrogel for controlled curcumin delivery in diabetic wound healing

AU - Rakkan, Thanaphorn

AU - Topham, Paul D.

AU - Mahomed, Anisa

AU - Tighe, Brian J.

AU - Derry, Matthew J.

AU - Krasian, Tharnthip

AU - Tanadchangsaeng, Nuttapol

AU - Srikaew, Narongrit

AU - Somsunan, Runglawan

AU - Jantanasakulwong, Kittisak

AU - Rachtanapun, Pornchai

AU - Worajittiphon, Patnarin

N1 - Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. This accepted manuscript version is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

PY - 2025/11/1

Y1 - 2025/11/1

N2 - Diabetic wounds are often chronic, delaying healing and increasing amputation risk. Curcumin (CR), known for therapeutic benefits, has been explored for such wounds. This study developed a novel chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) (CP)-based hydrogel incorporating molybdenum disulfide (MoS ), graphitic carbon nitride (g-C N ), and their 2D-2D hybrid (MoS /g-C N ) for CR delivery. The hybrid was synthesized via facile sonication and characterized using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. MoS /g-C N significantly enhanced hydrogel mechanical strength and drug release. The CP/MoS /g-C N /CR hydrogel exhibited higher toughness (3.35 ± 0.10 GJ/m ) than CP/MoS /CR (1.53 ± 0.51 GJ/m ) and CP/CR (0.01 ± 0.00 GJ/m ), attributed to hydrogen bonding with the CP matrix. The hydrogel released 77.96 % CR within 4 days, outperforming CP/g-C N /CR due to greater hydrolytic degradation at pH 6.8. Release followed Korsmeyer-Peppas and Higuchi models, indicating diffusion and polymer swelling. The hybrid hydrogel also showed strong antioxidant activity (88.86 ± 0.07 % DPPH scavenging activity), antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative strains, and cytocompatibility (78 ± 2 % viability in L929 fibroblasts after 72 h). These findings suggest that CP/MoS /g-C N /CR hydrogel is a promising candidate for efficient CR delivery, potentially enhancing diabetic wound healing.

AB - Diabetic wounds are often chronic, delaying healing and increasing amputation risk. Curcumin (CR), known for therapeutic benefits, has been explored for such wounds. This study developed a novel chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) (CP)-based hydrogel incorporating molybdenum disulfide (MoS ), graphitic carbon nitride (g-C N ), and their 2D-2D hybrid (MoS /g-C N ) for CR delivery. The hybrid was synthesized via facile sonication and characterized using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. MoS /g-C N significantly enhanced hydrogel mechanical strength and drug release. The CP/MoS /g-C N /CR hydrogel exhibited higher toughness (3.35 ± 0.10 GJ/m ) than CP/MoS /CR (1.53 ± 0.51 GJ/m ) and CP/CR (0.01 ± 0.00 GJ/m ), attributed to hydrogen bonding with the CP matrix. The hydrogel released 77.96 % CR within 4 days, outperforming CP/g-C N /CR due to greater hydrolytic degradation at pH 6.8. Release followed Korsmeyer-Peppas and Higuchi models, indicating diffusion and polymer swelling. The hybrid hydrogel also showed strong antioxidant activity (88.86 ± 0.07 % DPPH scavenging activity), antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative strains, and cytocompatibility (78 ± 2 % viability in L929 fibroblasts after 72 h). These findings suggest that CP/MoS /g-C N /CR hydrogel is a promising candidate for efficient CR delivery, potentially enhancing diabetic wound healing.

KW - PVA

KW - Drug delivery

KW - g-C(3)N(4)

KW - Hydrogel

KW - MoS(2)

KW - Chitosan

KW - Hybrid material

UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0141813025087422

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105018667172

U2 - 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.148185

DO - 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.148185

M3 - Article

C2 - 41093221

SN - 1879-0003

VL - 330

JO - International Journal of Biological Macromolecules

JF - International Journal of Biological Macromolecules

M1 - 148185

ER -

2D–2D MoS2/g-C3N4 hybrid-loaded chitosan/PVA hydrogel for controlled curcumin delivery in diabetic wound healing

Abstract

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

Keywords

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