Effects of Curcumin-Loaded Bacterial Cellulose Films on Cancer Cells

Abstract

In this study, a curcumin-loaded bacterial cellulose films were developed. Bacterial cellulose films were prepared by culturing Gluconacetobacter xylinus in coconut water-based medium. Curcumin, an active substance found in turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn), was then absorbed into never-dried bacterial cellulose pellicles by immersion in 0.5 and 1.0 mg/ml curcumin solutions, with absolute ethanol as solvent, for 24 hours. The curcumin-loaded bacterial cellulose pellicles were then air-dried. Controlled release of curcumin was achieved in buffer solutions containing Tween 80 and methanol additives, at pH 5.5 and 7.4. Curcumin-loaded bacterial cellulose films prepared with curcumin solutions at concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0 mg/ml demonstrated anticancer activity against A375 human malignant melanoma cells, HT29 human colon cancer cells, and MCF7 human breast cancer cells. On normal cells, specifically human keratinocytes and human dermal fibroblasts, along with Vero kidney epithelial cells, no significant cytotoxic effect was observed. These developed films have properties that would be beneficial in biomedical applications.