Abstract
The dry roots of Polygonum cuspidatum contain resveratrol, a compound known for its antimicrobial and protective effects against oxidative stress, which is associated with impaired wound healing. In this study, titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO(2)NPs) were loaded with a P. cuspidatum extract (TiO(2)-loaded extract NPs), and the resveratrol release profile, hemocompatibility, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activities were evaluated. The results demonstrated that TiO(2)-loaded extract NPs exhibited antioxidant activity for DPPH (Inhibitory Concentration 50 (IC(50)) = 62.31 mg Trolox Equivalent (TE)/mL) and ABTS(+) (IC(50) = 4.8 mg TE/mL) assays, along with suitable hemocompatibility (3.02% at 10 mg/mL), in comparison with bulk TiO(2) NPs. Additionally, temperature influenced the resveratrol release over time. The P. cuspidatum extract alone showed strong antibacterial activity, with a Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 5 µg/mL, TiO(2)-loaded extract NPs showed MIC values about 50 mg/mL, while bulk TiO(2) NPs exhibited no antibacterial effect against the tested strains. In contrast, the P. cuspidatum extract, the TiO(2)-loaded extract NPs, and the bulk TiO(2) NPs did not demonstrate antifungal activity against Candida albicans and C. glabrata. Moreover, TiO(2)-loaded extract NPs showed no cytotoxicity against the L-929 cell line at concentrations ranging from 1.5 to 150 µg/mL, unlike TiO(2) NPs, which exhibited high cytotoxic concentrations between 9.4 and 300 µg/mL. These findings suggest that TiO(2)-loaded extract NPs effectively control the release of resveratrol and hold promises for applications in skin management and wound healing.