Curcumin loaded casein submicron-sized gels as drug delivery systems

Abstract

Hydrogels from natural polyelectrolytes possess many important features such as low toxicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability and hydrophilicity. These properties make them very suitable for applications such as immobilization and controlled release of drugs and other types of biologically active molecules. In the present study submicron-sized hydrogels made from casein by ionotropic gelation are investigated. For this purpose, two types of crosslinking agents are used at different pH conditions. In order to characterize these submicron gels, their sizes, chemical structures and thermal stability are examined by dynamic light scattering (DLS), FT-IR and Differential Scanning calorimetry (DSC) respectively. To prove their immobilization ability, active compound, namely curcumin, is immobilized in the hydrogel’s structures. DPPH assay is conducted to establish the antioxidant properties of the curcumin before and after the immobilization. The loading efficiency of the nanostructures together with the curcumin release kinetics are evaluated and modelled mathematically.

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

“…In another trial, 50 patients received a single intravenous dose of liposomal curcumin in the range of 10–400 mg/m 2 over 2 h. While the dosages ≥120 mg/m 2 already changed the red blood cell morphology, the curcumin and its metabolites in plasma became undetectable within 6–60 min [ 19 ]. In order to improve the bioavailability of curcumin, a variety of nanocarriers for curcumin have been developed [ 20 , 21 , 22 ], including polymer micelles [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ], liposomes [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ], inorganic nanoparticles [ 31 , 32 , 33 ], porous silica/metal–organic frames [ 34 , 35 , 36 ], biopolymer complexes/nanoparticles [ 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ], and nanogels [ 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ]. However, most of these nanocarriers developed so far exhibit a low loading capacity, which still limits the bioavailability of curcumin for clinical use.…”

Biocompatible Anisole-Nonlinear PEG core-shell Nanogels for High Loading Capacity, Excellent Stability, and Controlled Release of Curcumin

“…In another trial, 50 patients received a single intravenous dose of liposomal curcumin in the range of 10-400 mg/m 2 over 2 h. While the dosages ≥120 mg/m 2 already changed the red blood cell morphology, the curcumin and its metabolites in plasma became undetectable within 6-60 min [19]. In order to improve the bioavailability of curcumin, a variety of nanocarriers for curcumin have been developed [20][21][22], including polymer Gels 2023, 9, 762 2 of 18 micelles [23][24][25][26], liposomes [27][28][29][30], inorganic nanoparticles [31][32][33], porous silica/metalorganic frames [34][35][36], biopolymer complexes/nanoparticles [37][38][39][40][41], and nanogels [42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51]. However, most of these nanocarriers developed so far exhibit a low loading capacity, which still limits the bioavailability of curcumin for clinical use.…”