Effect of novel curcumin-encapsulated chitosan–bioglass drug on bone and skin repair after gamma radiation: experimental study on a Wistar rat model S. Jebahi 1,2 *, M. Saoudi 2 , L. Farhat 3 , H. Oudadesse 1 , T. Rebai 4 , A. Kabir 4 , A. El Feki 2 and H. Keskes 2 1 Campus de Beaulieu, University of Rennes 1, UMR CNRS 6226, Rennes, France 2 Animal Ecophysiology Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, Sfax Faculty of Science, Sfax, Tunisia 3 Service of Medical Oncology, CHU Habib Bourguiba, Sfax, Tunisia 4 Histology, Orthopaedic and Traumatology Laboratory, Sfax Faculty of Medicine, Sfax, Tunisia Radiation therapy contributes to a significant increase in bone osteoporosis and skin loss. Various natural health products might be beneficial to reduce bone and skin alterations. Curcumin (CUR) medicines derived from natural plants have played an important role in health care. This study aims at synthesizing and evaluating the performance therapy of CUR-encapsulated bioglass–chitosan (CUR–BG–CH). In vitro, the antioxidant assay was evaluated by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free-radical (DPPH) scavenging and the nitroblue tetrazolium reduc- tion. The CUR–BG–CH antimicrobial effects were tested in liquid media. In vivo, after rat 60 Co γ-radiation, the tissue wound-healing process was studied by grafting CUR and CUR–BG–CH in femoral condyle and dorsal skin rat tissue. The antioxidant studies indicated that CUR–BG–CH quenches free radicals more efficiently than unmodified CUR and had effective DPPH (91%) and superoxide anion (51%) radical scavenging activities. The CUR–BG–CH biomaterial exhibited an important antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The histomorphometric parameters showed amelioration in CUR–BG–CH-treated rats. An improved mechanical property was noticed (33.16 ± 5.0 HV) when compared with that of unmodified CUR group (23.15 ± 4.9 HV). A significant decrease in tumour necrosis factor-α cytokine production was noted in the CUR–BG–CH rats (90 pg/ml) as compared with that of unmodified CUR group (240 pg/ml). The total amount of hydroxyproline was significantly enhanced (33.5%) in CUR–BG–CH group as compared with that of control. Our findings suggested that CUR–BG–CH might have promising potential applications for wound healing. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. key words—curcumin; bioglass; chitosan; bone; skin; osteoporosis; irradiation INTRODUCTION Malignant lesions are frequently treated by the association between surgery and radiotherapy procedures. However, ionizing radiation contributes to a significant increase in oxidative stress. The cell alterations following irradiation caused by free radicals may be implicated in osteoporotic phenotypes and skin loss. 1,2 Osteoporosis is often reflected by low bone mineral density and fracture risk. The irradiation affects the survival of bone marrow stromal cells and increases bone fragility. 3 Moreover, the cutaneous radiation reaction includes short-term effects such as erythema as well as long-term ones such as skin cancer. The disorder of type I collagen, which accounts for 70–80% of total skin collagen and about 90% of bone, has been proved that it can share comparable regressive changes. 4 In fact, irradiation in rats causes a significant reduction in collagen synthesis as evidenced from the esti- mation of tissue hydroxyproline content. 5 Numerous treatments were available for reducing bone and skin loss, but each one had limitations. Despite the benefits of certain treatments such as selective oestrogen receptor moderators, adverse outcomes such as increased risks for cancer have been identified. 6 Because of their adverse effects, more attention has been focused on nat- ural alternatives, 7 among which, we distinguish curcumin (CUR) presenting benefits such as antioxidative activities because it is a powerful scavenger of the superoxide anion and the hydroxyl radical. 8 CUR improves skin healing and increases bone density by elevating anti- oxidant activity in osteoporotic rats. 9 CUR has demon- strated safety, but it has a restrictive pharmaceutical role because of its extremely rapid systemic elimination, inadequate tissue absorption and degradation, which severely curtail its bioavailability. Therefore, the incor- poration of localized CUR in some polymers is espe- cially desirable to increase the efficiency of its practical application. Chitosan polymer (CH) has drawn considerable scientific interest in the field of biomedical research. 10 As a * Correspondence to: S. Jebahi, Campus de Beaulieu, University of Rennes 1, UMR CNRS 6226, Rennes, France. E-mail: jbahisamira@yahoo.fr Received 10 February 2014 Revised 9 February 2015 Accepted 10 February 2015 Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. cell biochemistry and function Cell Biochem Funct (2015) Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com) DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3098