Strategy of eudragit coated curcumin nanoparticles delivery system: Release and cell imaging studies in simulated gastrointestinal microenvironments

Abstract

Curcumin has a broad-spectrum anti-tumor effect and has no toxic side effects. However, the unique diketone structure of curcumin will undergo diketo-enol tautomerism under different acid-base conditions, resulting in its instability under physiological conditions. In addition, the low biocompatibility and absorption rate of curcumin also limit the use of curcumin drugs. In this paper, curcumin was modified by substitution of acryloyl and acrylsulfonyl groups, and four kinds of nanoparticles with regular morphology were prepared using non-toxic and non-irritating acrylic resin as coating material to improve the stability and bioavailability of the compounds. Zeta potential testing shows that the composites surface carries positive charges and have good stability. In the release experiment, four complexes have the potential for slow and controlled release. Imaging of Hela cells with different channels was performed, and the imaging results showed that the complexes could enter the cells and be absorbed by them, demonstrating good imaging performance. MTT experiments have shown that the complexes have certain anti-tumor activity and low cytotoxicity. In general, the complexes synthesized in this paper have potential in the field of drug fluorescence imaging detection. At the same time, this experiment provides a new idea for the design of slow and controlled release of drugs.