Tamarind seed xyloglucan–glycerol hydrogel as biocompatible nanocarrier for curcumin: in vitro neuroprotective efficacy

This study reports the synthesis and comprehensive characterization of a novel nanohydrogel based on tamarind seed xyloglucan and glycerol (XGGOH), designed for biomedical applications. Fourier transform infrared and X‐ray diffraction analyses confirmed its hydrogen‐bonded, amorphous structure. Rheological studies established XGGOH as a strong, elastic, and stable physical gel. Dynamic light scattering revealed nanoscale dimensions with a near‐neutral zeta potential ( ca −0.1 mV), highlighting physical crosslinking as the primary stabilization mechanism. XGGOH demonstrated antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus at higher concentrations but not Pseudomonas aeruginosa . To overcome the clinical challenges associated with curcumin, specifically its hydrophobicity, low water solubility, and rapid metabolism which result in poor bioavailability, we successfully encapsulated the compound within a xyloglucan–glycerol hydrogel matrix to enhance its delivery and neuroprotective efficacy. Biocompatibility in HEK 293 cells was high (>70% viability). Furthermore, curcumin‐loaded XGGOH exhibited significant neuroprotective effects against 6‐OH dopamine‐induced cytotoxicity in SH‐SY5Y cells, notably increasing cell viability to 86.81% at 25 μg mL −1 ( P < 0.001). These findings underscore the critical importance of developing biocompatible biopolymer drug carriers for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of hydrophobic natural compounds like curcumin in neuroprotection studies, paving the way for their clinical translation.