A Magnetically Drivable Nanovehicle for Curcumin with Antioxidant Capacity and MRI Relaxation Properties

Abstract

Curcumin possesses wide-ranging anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties and its biological activity can be linked to its potent antioxidant capacity. Superparamagnetic maghemite (γ-Fe2 O3 ), called surface-active maghemite nanoparticles (SAMNs) were surface-modified with curcumin molecules, due to the presence of under-coordinated Fe(III) atoms on the nanoparticle surface. The so-obtained curcumin-modified SAMNs (SAMN@curcumin) had a mean size of 13±4 nm. SAMN@curcumin was characterized by transmission and scanning electron microscopy, UV/Vis, FTIR, and Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, bulk susceptibility (SQUID), and relaxometry measurements (MRI imaging). The high negative contrast proclivity of SAMN@curcumin to act as potential contrast agent in MRI screenings was also tested. Moreover, the redox properties of bound curcumin were probed by electrochemistry. SAMN@curcumin was studied in the presence of different electroactive molecules, namely hydroquinone, NADH and ferrocyanide, to assess its redox behavior. Finally, SAMN@curcumin was electrochemically probed in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, demonstrating the stability and reactivity of bound curcumin.

Triggering Mechanism for DNA Electrical Conductivity: Reversible Electron Transfer between DNA and Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

“…The first part of the present study deals with the self‐assembly process of one‐, two‐ and three nanobioconjugates by covalent immobilization of DNA on SAMN surface. The peculiar behavior of SAMNs, being constituted of common maghemite, is due to their surface properties and, as already reported on an our previous papers, experimental evidences suggested the presence of under‐coordinated Fe(III) sites located at SAMN surface. Therefore, we exploited under‐coordinated Fe(III) sites for DNA conjugation by simple incubation in water.…”

“…Thus, the analysis of the 57 Fe Mössbauer spectra confirms that on the surface of Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles Fe 2+ states develop, in response to the linkage with DNA6b molecules. We estimated that 6% of Fe 2+ (see Table S5, Supporting Information) corresponds approximately to 50% of the available exposed boundary iron atoms, considering that Fe 3+ laying on SAMN surface represents about 11% of the total nanoparticle iron content, as previously reported,[20a] demonstrating an electron exchange between DNA and nanoparticles.…”

Advances in Magnetic Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications

“…Diverse approaches have been reported to attach a drug to magnetic NPs; the medicine molecule can be loaded in stimuli‐responsive hydrogel/polymer frameworks, encapsulated in the polymer interspace of magnetic nanostructures, linked in magnetoliposomes, or trapped to the activated surface of MNPs . Furthermore, drugs can be linked to the MNPs by covalent connections that are susceptible to degradation as part of the tissue metabolism …”

Curcumin alleviates lung injury in diabetic rats by inhibiting nuclear factor‐κB pathway

“…Curcumin is a polyphenolic compound extracted from the Curcuma longa plant, which has a long history of use as a food or drug in India, China and Iran. Curcumin has many pharmacological activities such as anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti‐tumor activities. Curcumin is well tolerated without toxicity even at high doses, however, curcumin has a low bioavailability due to its poor absorption and rapid metabolism.…”