Curcumin Loading Capacity Research Articles

Curcumin-Loaded Maltodextrin-Based Proniosomes Potentially Effective against Gemcitabine-Resistant Cholangiocarcinoma.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) or bile-duct cancer is most prevalent in Southeast Asian counties including Thailand. Patients present at an advanced stage when the cancer is often drug resistant, leading to chemotherapy failure. Curcumin has therapeutic potential with various anticancer properties. However, its effectiveness is limited by its low bioavailability, poor solubility, and instability. This study aimed to synthesize, characterize and evaluate the efficacy of curcumin-loaded maltodextrin-based proniosomes (CMPNs) to overcome the limitations of curcumin for treating gemcitabine-resistant CCA cells (KKU-213BGemR) in vitro and in vivo. Various proniosome formulations were developed and tested for their efficacy against KKU-213BGemR cells using cytotoxicity, clonogenic, migration, and invasion assays. The potential mechanism involving in cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, expression of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), a pro-apoptotic transcription factor, and other apoptotic markers were investigated. The results showed that nanoscale CMPNs exhibited a good curcumin loading capacity and an entrapment efficiency of over 97%, as well as good stability and permeability through porcine esophageal mucosa. CMPNs inhibited proliferation, colony formation, migration/invasion and induced apoptosis in KKU-213BGemR cells. Western blot analysis revealed CMPNs significantly increased CHOP, the cleavage products of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1), apoptosis-inducing factor, and caspase-3 expression in KKU-213BGemR cells. A xenograft model revealed that 62.5 mg/kg BW CMPNs significantly suppressed proliferating cell nuclear antigen and increased CHOP-mediated apoptosis, leading to significantly reduced tumor volume. In conclusion, CMPNs effectively overcome limitations of curcumin and offer an effective strategy against gemcitabine-resistant CCA via CHOP-mediated pathways. These proniosomes are promising as an alternative treatment approach for CCA.

Complexation characteristics between acetylated starch and soy protein isolates and intestinal digestion behavior of the polymers encapsulated active compound

The interaction between acetylated starch (AS) and soy protein isolates (SPI) was investigated under different pH conditions, and their corresponding physicochemical properties of the complexes were investigated. This study found that, at pH9.0, the β-turn structure of the protein in the complexes changed into Random coil with the highest ratio, and the thermal stability of the complexes was found to be reduced, which was contributed to the destruction of the crystalline region to a large extent. Meanwhile, the confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) results showed that the complexes demonstrated a dispersed phase at pH5.0, and the SPI structure unfolded maximum at pH9.0. Following the determination of the changes in the rheological property under the existence of NaCl and urea, it was proposed that electrostatic interaction was the major interaction force for all the three complexes. However, hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding forces also seemed to play a more important role for AS/SPI-pH9 complexes than either AS/SPI-pH2 or AS/SPI-pH5 complexes. Complexation significantly increased encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of curcumin compared to their corresponding individual polymer, followed by a reduced release kinetics at intestinal fluid but not at simulate gastric fluid stage via an in vitro digestion.

Hydroxypropyl methycellulose-galactomannan binary complexes achieving 55 wt% curcumin loading capacity: Mechanism and in vitro bioactivity

Curcumin is a turmeric-derived bioactive flavonoid that is beneficial to human health. Unfortunately, poor water solubility and low bioactivity of curcumin limit its applications. Multiple food-derived curcumin delivery systems have been developed, but their loading capacities still need to be improved. In this work, binary complexes of hydroxypropyl methycellulose-galactomannan (HPMC-GM) with different mannose to galactose (M:G) ratios in GM were manufactured for curcumin delivery. HPMC-GM achieved 40–55 wt% curcumin loading capacity depending on the M:G ratio, which was about twice that of other reported food-derived vehicles. Porous dense networks were observed in HPMC-GM, which were driven by hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. Curcumin bound tightly to hydrophobic cavities in the amorphous state via hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds. The hydrophilic galactose branches of GM restrict complexation between HPMC and GM. Higher M:G ratios resulted in higher curcumin loading capacities of HPMC-GM. The results of in vitro dissolution and anti-proliferation activity showed that the bioactivity of curcumin loaded in HPMC-GM was superior to unloaded curcumin. This study created delivery systems with high curcumin loading capacities using 100% food-grade materials as vehicles, which circumvents the drawback of using artificial synthetic polymers to achieve high curcumin loading capacity. The HPMC-GM vehicle has great potential in developing curcumin products as dietary supplements as well as for medical purposes.

Facile in situ synthesis and characterization of Fe@Si/zeolite Na composites with magnetic core–shell structures from natural materials for enhanced curcumin loading capacity

Curcumin is a natural polyphenol that is used in various traditional medicines. However, its inherent properties, such as its rapid degradation and metabolism, low bioavailability, and short half-life, are serious problems that must be resolved. To this end, a drug carrier incorporating natural magnetic cores in a zeolite framework was developed and applied to the loading of curcumin in ethanol solutions. In this system, curcumin is encapsulated in a zeolite Na (ZNA) magnetic core–shell structure (Fe@Si/ZNA), which can be easily synthesized using an in situ method. Synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles was carried out from natural materials using a co-precipitation method. Analysis of the prepared magnetic core–shell structures and composites was carried out using vibrating-sample magnetometery, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and x-ray diffraction. The cumulative loading of curcumin in the ZNA composite with 9% nanoparticles was found to reach 90.70% with a relatively long half-life of 32.49 min. Stability tests of curcumin loading in the composite showed that adding magnetic particles to the zeolite framework also increased the stability of the composite structure. Adsorption kinetics and isotherm studies also found that the system follows the pseudo-second-order and Langmuir isotherm models.

Electrospun core-shell polycaprolactone/ chitosan nanofibrous composite with enhanced curcumin loading capacity for wound healing applications

Skin treatment complexity and expense in accidents such as burns, lacerations, and illnesses represent a significant concern. The demand for nanofibers possessing a high biocompatible matrix and the ability to carry drugs to improve wound healing is highly regarded. In this investigation, electrospun nanofibers were fabricated utilizing a 17 % (w/v) polycaprolactone (PCL) core and a 2 % (w/v) chitosan (CS) shell, encompassing varying concentrations of curcumin (CUR, 10 μM, 25 μM, and 50 μM), and their structural, physicochemical, mechanical, and in vitro characteristics of the prepared samples were thoroughly examined. A TEM image indicated the mean thickness of the core and shell in the drug-loaded sample to be approximately 60 nm and 170 nm, respectively. Smooth nanofibers with a bead-free shape structure were also discernible through SEM evaluation, with a porosity of 84.27 ± 5.32 % for the PCL/CS/CUR25μM sample. Moreover, the addition of CUR exhibited tensile properties within the range of the skin's mechanical characteristics, along with suitable wettability (40.80 ± 2.99°), water absorption (858.82 ± 79.06 %), and degradation rate (25.76 ± 4.90 %). The drug release profile of CUR exhibited a consistent release rate of 57.0 ± 3.9 % during the initial phase over a 24-h period. The seeded L929 cells' behavior on the scaffolds was assessed using the MTT assay and FESEM microimages. The PCL/CS/CUR25μM showed no cytotoxic effect on the seeded cells, and they exhibited appropriate adherence to the scaffolds. Therefore, the electrospun core-shell PCL/CS/CUR25μM nanofibrous composite has the potential to function as an appropriate membrane for wound healing applications.

Red light-triggerable nanohybrids of graphene oxide, gold nanoparticles and thermo-responsive polymers for combined photothermia and drug release effects.

The development of multifunctional nanohybrid systems for combined photo-induced hyperthermia and drug release is a challenging topic in the research of advanced materials for application in the biomedical field. Here, we report the first example of a three-component red-light-responsive nanosystem consisting of graphene oxide, gold nanoparticles and poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (GO-Au-PNM). The GO-Au-PNM nanostructures were characterized by spectroscopic techniques and atomic force microscopy. They exhibited photothermal conversion effects at various wavelengths, lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behaviour, and curcumin (Curc) loading capacity. The formation of GO-Au-PNM/Curc adducts and photothermally controlled drug release, triggered by red-light excitation (680 nm), were demonstrated using spectroscopic techniques. Drug-polymer interaction and drug-release mechanism were well supported by modelling simulation calculations. The cellular uptake of GO-Au-PNM/Curc was imaged by confocal laser scanning microscopy. In vitro experiments revealed the excellent biocompatibility of the GO-Au-PNM that did not affect the viability of human cells.

Fabrication of natural deep eutectic solvent based water-in-oil high internal phase emulsion: Improving loading capacity and stability of curcumin

Water-in-oil high internal phase emulsions (HIPEW/O) are promising as fat substitutes and nutrient carriers in food systems. A method was developed to replace the water phase of HIPEW/O with natural deep eutectic solvents (NDES) to enhance the loading and stability of nutraceuticals. NDESs, comprising varying ratios of d-glucose, sucrose, and water, were used. Higher sucrose ratios resulted in larger crystals in NDES-based HIPEW/O. Glucose-to-sucrose molar ratios below 1 generated gel-like HIPEs with excellent thermal, centrifugal, freeze-thaw, and storage stability. Increased sucrose proportion in NDES promoted crystal formation, thus improving emulsion stability. NDES-HIPEs demonstrated high curcumin loading with high encapsulation efficiency. Crystal-containing NDES-HIPEs exhibited improved ultraviolet and gastrointestinal stability. This study presents a novel method for HIPEW/O preparation. Using NDES as the internal phase regulates crystal morphology, enhances emulsion stability, and protects nutrients. These unique emulsions hold potential as carriers for bioactive components in food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical applications.

Gel properties of rice proteins-pectin composite and the delivery potential for curcumin: Based on different concentrations and the degree of esterification of pectin

The effects of pectin concentrations and esterification degree (DE) on the gelling properties of Rice proteins (RPs)-pectin composite gels were investigated. And the encapsulation characteristics and in vitro curcumin release ability of composite gels were assessed. The concentration gradient was 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0%, the DE gradient was 35%, 60% and 75%. It was found that pectin increased sol system net charge and induced the disaggregation of large protein aggregates. The intermolecular electrostatic repulsion plays a critical role in it. Pectin interacted with RPs via mainly hydrogen-bonding and attached itself to the surface of RPs. Increasing the viscoelastic and stability of RPs-pectin composite sols. The inclusion of DE-35% pectin at a concentration of 1.5% reduced the content of α-helix and increased β-sheet and β-turn, resulted in superior gel microstructure and water holding capacity. Further studies revealed that the composite gels, formulated with 1.5% concentration of DE-35% pectin, displayed excellent curcumin encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, and cumulative release rate. Its curcumin releasing behavior in simulated colonic fluid followed non-Fickian diffusion mechanism and could effectively deliver it to colon.

Biocompatible Anisole-Nonlinear PEG Core-Shell Nanogels for High Loading Capacity, Excellent Stability, and Controlled Release of Curcumin.

Curcumin, a nontoxic and cheap natural medicine, has high therapeutic efficacy for many diseases, including diabetes and cancers. Unfortunately, its exceedingly low water-solubility and rapid degradation in the body severely limit its bioavailability. In this work, we prepare a series of biocompatible poly(vinyl anisole)@nonlinear poly(ethylene glycol) (PVAS@PEG) core-shell nanogels with different PEG gel shell thickness to provide high water solubility, good stability, and controllable sustained release of curcumin. The PVAS nanogel core is designed to attract and store curcumin molecules for high drug loading capacity and the hydrophilic nonlinear PEG gel shell is designed to offer water dispersibility and thermo-responsive drug release. The nanogels prepared are monodispersed in a spherical shape with clear core-shell morphology. The size and shell thickness of the nanogels can be easily controlled by changing the core-shell precursor feeding ratios. The optimized PVAS@PEG nanogels display a high curcumin loading capacity of 38.0 wt%. The nanogels can stabilize curcumin from degradation at pH = 7.4 and release it in response to heat within the physiological temperature range. The nanogels can enter cells effectively and exhibit negligible cytotoxicity to both the B16F10 and HL-7702 cells at a concentration up to 2.3 mg/mL. Such designed PVAS@PEG nanogels have great potential to be used for efficient drug delivery.

Dual-template induced interfacial assembly of yolk-shell magnetic mesoporous polydopamine vesicles with tunable cavity for enhanced photothermal antibacterial

Yolk-shell magnetic polymer nanostructures with large cavity, movable magnetic core are attractive carriers for bulk storage, release and transport of guest molecules in various applications. However, it remains great challenge to achieve a controllable transport of guest species into and out from the hollow space in a controlled way due to the lack of tailor-made nanostructures. Herein, a dual-template-induced emulsion interfacial assembly and polymerization method (denoted as de-IAP) was developed to constructyolk-shell magnetic mesoporous polydopamine (YS-MMP) vesicles with magnetic core, large hollow space and uniform mesopores in the soft polymer shell. The obtained YS-MMP vesicles possess tunable cavity size (10–900 nm), flexible mesoporous PDA layer, large pores (21 nm), high surface area (217.4 m2·g−1) and high magnetization saturation (31.0 emu·g−1), thus exhibiting the merits of high loading capacity (29.1%) and encapsulation rates (41.0%) of Curcumin (Cur), and fast magnetic separation speed. Thanks to their superior photothermal effect and magnetic property, the obtained YS-MMP@Cur vesicles exhibit smart on-demand release of Cur and excellent recyclability. With 808 nm laser irradiation, YS-MMP@Cur vesicles show high-efficient photothermal bactericidal effect (>99%) against S. aureus and E. coli, opening up a new avenue for smart cargo delivery, lasting sterilization, and environmental remediation.

Release kinetics and binding interactions of curcumin‐encapsulated nanoparticles released from chitosan‐graft‐(methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐polycaprolactone) injectable hydrogels

AbstractInjectable hydrogels are alternative materials for drug delivery in biomedical applications. Most injectable hydrogels are derived from stimuli‐responsive polymers that can respond to the changes of physical and/or chemical properties of the environment, such as temperature and pH variation. In this study, chitosan‐graft‐(methoxy poly (ethylene glycol)‐block‐polycaprolactone) injectable hydrogels were loaded with curcumin in different concentrations. The loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency of curcumin in such hydrogels were increased and decreased respectively with increasing curcumin concentrations. The encapsulation efficiency, however, was more than 90% for all formulations. Such hydrogels demonstrated curcumin release that proceeded in a sustained manner. The release profiles followed Korsmeyer‐Peppas and zero‐order kinetic release models which suggested that the release was facilitated by drug diffusion and the erosion of the self‐assembled polymeric networks. The curcumin released from the hydrogels was found as encapsulated core‐shell nanoparticles, the size of which depended on the loading concentration. A combination of fluorescence spectroscopy and thermodynamics analysis showed that van der Waals interactions and hydrogen bonds were major binding forces between curcumin and the copolymers. In addition, the curcumin‐encapsulated nanoparticles showed a progressive reduction in survival of the cervical cancer HeLa cell line, as shown in in vitro cytotoxicity experiments. © 2023 Society of Industrial Chemistry.

Development of a ZIF-91-Porous-Liquid-Based Composite Hydrogel Dressing System for Diabetic Wound Healing.

Porous metal-organic framework (MOF) liquids with permanent porosity, good fluidity, and fine dispersion attract broad attention in catalysis, transportation, gas storage, and chemical separations. Yet, the design and synthesis of porous MOF liquids for drug delivery remain less explored. Herein, a simple and general strategy is reported to prepare ZIF-91 porous liquid (ZIF-91-PL) via surface modification and ion exchange. The cationic nature of ZIF-91-PL not only renders it antibacterial but also with high curcumin loading capacity and sustained release. More importantly, the acrylate group on the grafted side chain of ZIF-91-PL makes it feasible to crosslink with modified gelatin through light curing, and the obtained hydrogel shows a significantly improved healing effect on the wound of diabetes. This work demonstrates for the first time, a MOF-based porous liquid for drug delivery, and the further fabrication of composite hydrogel may have potential applications in biomedical science.

Lactoferrin-Based Ternary Composite Nanoparticles with Enhanced Dispersibility and Stability for Curcumin Delivery.

Curcumin has been reported to exhibit free radical antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities, which are beneficial for nutraceutical applications. However, its application for this purpose is limited by its poor water solubility, stability, and bioavailability. These problems can be overcome using food-grade colloidal particles that encapsulate, protect, and deliver curcumin. These colloidal particles can be assembled from structure-forming food components that may also exhibit protective effects, such as proteins, polysaccharides, and polyphenols. In this study, lactoferrin (LF), (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and hyaluronic acid (HA) were used to fabricate composite nanoparticles using a simple pH-shift method. We showed that curcumin could be successfully loaded into these LF-EGCG-HA nanoparticles (d = 145 nm). The encapsulation efficiency (86%) and loading capacity (5.8%) of curcumin within these nanoparticles were relatively high. Encapsulation improved the thermal, light, and storage stabilities of the curcumin. Moreover, the curcumin-loaded nanoparticles exhibited good redispersibility after dehydration. The in vitro digestion properties, cellular uptake, and anticancer effects of the curcumin-loaded nanoparticles were then explored. Compared to free curcumin, the bioaccessibility and cellular uptake of the curcumin were significantly improved after encapsulation in the nanoparticles. Furthermore, the nanoparticles significantly promoted the apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells. This study suggests that food-grade biopolymer nanoparticles can be used to improve the bioavailability and bioactivity of an important nutraceutical.

Hydrophobic modified agar: Structural characterization and application in encapsulation and release of curcumin

In this study, three kinds of anhydrides with different structures were introduced into agar molecules to study the effects of varying degrees of substitution (DS) and anhydride structures on the physicochemical properties and curcumin (CUR) loading capacity. Increasing the carbon chain length and saturation of the anhydride affects the hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bonding of the esterified agar, thereby changing the stable structure of the agar. Although the gel performance declined, the hydrophilic carboxyl group and the loose porous structure provide more binding sites for the adsorption of water molecules, hence providing excellent water retention (1700 %). Next, CUR was used as a hydrophobic active ingredient to study agar microspheres' drug encapsulation and in vitro release ability. Results showed that the excellent swelling and hydrophobic structure of esterified agar could promote the encapsulation of CUR (70.3 %). The release process is controlled by pH, and the release of CUR under weak alkaline conditions is significant, which can be explained by the pore structure, swelling characteristics, and carboxyl binding of agar. Therefore, this study shows the application potential of hydrogel microspheres in loading hydrophobic active ingredients and sustained release and provides the possibility for the application of agar in drug delivery systems.

Encapsulation behavior of curcumin in heteroprotein complex coacervates and precipitates fabricated from β-conglycinin and lysozyme

The associative phase separation of oppositely charged biopolymers produces liquid-like coacervates or solid-like precipitates, whereas the effect of the physical state difference on applications is often overlooked. This study investigated the application of complexes coacervates and precipitates fabricated from β-conglycinin (β-CG) and lysozyme (LYS) for the encapsulation of curcumin. The β-CG-LYS complexes encapsulating curcumin at charge stoichiometric ratios appeared as coacervates at pH 6 and precipitates at pH 7 and 8. The curcumin encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of these complexes reached 95% and 410–486 μg/mg. Coacervates and precipitates both significantly improved the curcumin stability when exposed to light and heat treatment. During storage, the curcumin in coacervates had an extremely long half-life value (t 1/2 ), whereas curcumin in the precipitates had a short t 1/2 . When the coacervates encapsulating curcumin adhered to the bottom of the cuvette, 35.2% of the curcumin was still retained after rinsing with ethanol 30 times. The β-CG-LYS coacervates were promising carriers to encapsulate functional molecules, which may be used as functional dressings and coatings. • Curcumin did not affect phase behavior of β-CG-LYS complex coacervation. • The encapsulation efficiency of curcumin in coacervates exceeded 95%. • The loading capacity of curcumin in coacervates exceeded 290 μg/mg. • β-CG-LYS coacervates endowed the curcumin with long-term storage stability. • β-CG-LYS coacervates have potential as functional dressings and coatings.

Curcumin encapsulation in capsules and fibers of potato starch by electrospraying and electrospinning: Thermal resistance and antioxidant activity

The aim of this work was to encapsulate curcumin at different concentrations in capsules and fibers of native potato starch by electrospraying and electrospinning. The best conditions for the production of capsules and fibers were obtained by varying the polymer concentration and resting time of the polymer solution. The best conditions were used for the encapsulation of curcumin. The curcumin-loaded capsules and fibers had an average diameter of 1373 nm to 1787 nm and 108 nm to 142 nm, respectively, and had a high curcumin loading capacity with values ranging from 79.01 % to 97.09 %. Curcumin encapsulated in starch capsules and fibers showed higher thermal stability at 180 °C for 2 h compared to unencapsulated curcumin. The antioxidant activity of starch fibers containing 1 % of curcumin had the greatest ability to inhibit the ABTS radical (45 % inhibition). These materials are promising for use in food or active packaging.

Hybrid liposomes composed of hydrophilic emulsifiers and lecithin: Physicochemical, interaction and curcumin loading properties

In this study, the hybrid liposomes composed of lecithin and the hydrophilic emulsifiers including Tween 80 and decaglycerol monolaurate were prepared, and their curcumin loading performance were investigated. Results showed that the fusion of hydrophilic emulsifiers into lecithin membrane formed a new liposome-micelle-hybrid (LMH) structure whereby the LMH with Tween 80 had thinner film thickness and smaller particle size as demonstrated by quartz crystal microbalance and dynamic light scattering than LMH with decaglycerol monolaurate. In addition, the binary complex of lecithin and emulsifier had synergistic effect on the improvement of solubilizing curcumin in ethanol and water. Further evaluation of loading capacity of curcumin demonstrated that the LMH with low levels of emulsifiers possessed the maximum curcumin encapsulation efficiency compared to the pure liposomes or emulsifier-based micelles. Therefore, LMH could be a promising formulation for encapsulating and delivering bioactive substances.

Encapsulation of polyphenols in pH-responsive micelles self-assembled from octenyl-succinylated curdlan oligosaccharide and its effect on the gut microbiota

An amphiphilic polymer based on octenyl succinic anhydride-modified curdlan oligosaccharide (MCOS) was synthesized. The critical micelle concentration of MCOS was 3.91 μg·mL−1. MCOS could self-assemble into spherical micelles with a particle size of 230.1 nm and a zeta potential of − 37.9 mV. When used for polyphenol encapsulation, the loading capacity of curcumin and quercetin-co-encapsulated micelles was higher than that of single-polyphenol encapsulated micelles. In vitro gastrointestinal release test showed that the MCOS micelle presented a pH-dependent release, released a little polyphenol in simulated gastric fluid, but presented sustained release in the simulated intestinal fluid. The gastrointestinal-digested polyphenol-loaded micelles exhibited excellent antioxidant ability. In vitro human fecal fermentation indicated that the MCOS carrier could promote the production of short-chain fatty acids by gut microbiota and exhibited the highest relative abundance of Megamonas. In addition, the supplementation of curcumin and quercetin-co-loaded MCOS micelles increased the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and inhibited the growth of Escherichia_Shigella. These findings indicated that the MCOS carrier can be potentially used for the colon-targeted delivery of hydrophobic polyphenols due to its pH-responsive property.

PEGylated Magnetite/Hydroxyapatite: A Green Nanocomposite for T2-Weighted MRI and Curcumin Carrying.

Background The design of new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast media with chemotherapy drug-carrying capacity has an important role in diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. This study aimed to synthesize a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated magnetite/hydroxyapatite nanocomposite as an MRI contrast agent investigate its curcumin loading/release properties and consider the cytotoxicity effect of the curcumin-loaded nanocomposite on different cell lines. Materials and Methods PEGylated magnetite/hydroxyapatite (PMHA) nanocomposite was synthesized and characterized using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. MTT assay was performed to consider the A549, MCF-7, and MRC-5 cells toxicity of the PMHA and the curcumin-loaded nanocomposite. The r2 relaxivity of the nanocomposite was determined by an MRI device. The curcumin loading and its release from the nanocomposite at pH of 7.4 and 5.5 were investigated. Results The spherical nanocomposite showed an average size of 20 nm and a superparamagnetic property. PMHA nanocomposite was highly cytocompatible, while the curcumin-loaded nanocomposite showed significant cytotoxicity for A549 and a much higher toxic effect on MCF-7 cancer cells. The r2 relaxivity was measured as 120 mM−1S−1. The curcumin loading capacity of PMHA was 1.9 mg/g, and the curcumin release profile showed a pH-dependent sustained release of the anti-cancer drug that was higher for pH of 5.5. Conclusion The high r2 relaxivity of PMHA nanocomposite and sustained release of curcumin from the loaded one at the pH of tumor environment suggest that the nanocomposite is a potential candidate for T2-weighted MRI and cancer treatment.

Solid lipid nanoparticles loaded with curcumin: development and in vitro toxicity against CT26 cells.

Aim: To develop a new curcumin carrier consisting of murumuru butter nanoparticles (SLN-Cs). Methods: A phase-inversion temperature method was used to produce SLN-Cs. The interaction of SLN-Cs with murine colon adenocarcinoma (CT26) cells in vitro was analyzed by confocal microscopy. Results: Stable SLN-Cs with a high curcumin-loading capacity were obtained. TheSLN-Cs were more toxicto CT26than free curcumin. Fluorescence microscopy images showed the SLN-Cs to be taken up by CT26 cells in vitro. Conclusion: These results indicate that SLN-Cs are suitable carriers of curcumin in aqueous media.