Robust curcumin-mustard oil emulsions for pro to anti-oxidant modulation of graphene oxide

Abstract

The compositional flexibility of emulsions, via surfactant and additive choice, has been the major reason for their recognition as tuneable delivery sources for a variety of drugs. In particular, the kinetically stable nanoemulsions (NE) are preferred to minimize the toxicity extents of several poorly hydrophobic drugs through variation in their delivered extents. Inspired by these specialties, we have optimized our curcumin (curc) loaded sodium dodecylsulpahte (SDS) and dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) stabilized mustard oil microemulsions (ME) which catalyzed the pro-oxidant (with ethanol only) to antioxidant graphene oxide (GO) structural expression. The GO was synthesized using wet chemical approach, using ubiquitous graphite flakes as raw material. GO was loaded into 1:1 mixtures of (separately made) SDS and DTAB curc loaded formulations (CLFs). Henceforth, the resultant formulation contained 60% (1:1 SDS and DTAB) CLF mixture and ethanol dispersed GO (@ 1 mg/mL) as the other component. Compared to an insignificant (~47%) free state (while being dispersed in ethanol) DPPH free radical scavenging, the GO dispersed in CLFs enabled (62.47–100.96)% increments in DPPH scavenging, with 94.45% as maximum neutralization extent. The (493.57–3154.95)% particle size increments and (40.64–92.70)% PDI decrements for GO supplemented formulation over SDS and DTAB CLF mixtures, have inferred a wider curc distribution, through the larger GO surface area (SA) and its augmented oxygen enhanced chemical controls. In support, the physicochemical variations, characterized by (1.77–21.23)% γ decrements, (63.56–98.08%) and (68.90–163.22)% η and σ increments, have complemented the dispersion enhancing GO activities. Considering the bioactive nature of curc, these observations predict a prevalence of native curc structure or its enhanced non-covalent interaction controls with GO. Edible nature of mustard oil alongwith frequent inclusion of SDS and DTAB in routine gadgets, propel our formulations as robust media for attaining desired structural activities of functionalized GO derivatives.