In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory and tendon-healing effects in Achilles tendinopathy of long-term curcumin delivery using porous microspheres

•The fabricated Cur/PMSs showed sustained release for 28 days.•Cur/PMSs decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in LPS-treated tenocytes.•Local treatment of Cur/PMSs suppressed the progression of Achilles tendinopathy.•Cur/PMSs markedly increased the tensile strength of tendon tissue.