Chitosan based niosomal hydrogel with polyethylene glycol and halloysite nanotubes for curcumin delivery

Abstract

The use of curcumin (Cur) as an anticancer drug is restricted due to its poor solubility and bioavailability. In this study, a pH-sensitive niosomal hydrogel composed of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and chitosan (Cs) was developed for Cur delivery. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses confirmed the successful synthesis of the nanocomposite and provided insights into the interactions between its components and its crystalline structure. Zeta potential analysis corroborated its colloidal stability, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed its spherical shape and size in the range of 514–554 nm. The homogeneous size distribution was corroborated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) experiments. Cs/PEG/HNTs nanocarrier showed high Cur loading and encapsulation efficiencies (44.2 % and 84.0 %, respectively), as well as a smart, pH-sensitive release mechanism over a 96-hour period, highlighting its potential for sustained and targeted drug delivery. Cur release data were well-fitted to the Korsmeyer-Peppas and Zero-Order models at pH 5.4 and 7.4, respectively. The reduced survival of U-87 MG human brain tumor cells in the presence of Cs/PEG/HNTs@Cur samples compared to Cs, Cs/PEG, Cs/PEG/HNTs, and free Cur corroborates the hydrogel anti-cancer properties. The percentage of late apoptotic cells in Cs/PEG/HNTs@Cur was higher than in Cs/PEG/HNTs and free Cur, which is attributed to the sustained and smart release of Cur from Cs/PEG/HNTs@Cur. The biocompatibility, stability, biodegradability, ability to effectively encapsulate Cur and regulate its release to specifically target tumors makes the designed hydrogel a highly versatile and promising nanocarrier for Cur-based cancer therapies.