Formulation of curcumin delivery with functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes: characteristics and anticancer effectsin vitro

Abstract

Context: Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), an important class of artificial nanomaterials with unique physicochemical properties, were used as novel carriers of curcumin. Objective: Formulation and evaluation of curcumin-loaded SWCNTs systems for utilizing the curcumin's anticancer potential by circumventing conventional limitations of extremely low aqueous solubility and instability under physiological conditions, and combining SWCNTs photothermal therapy enabled by the strong optical absorbance of SWCNTs in the 0.8-1.4 mm resulting in excessive local heating. Methods: After functionalized SWCNTs were confirmed, they were conjugated with curcumin (SWCNT-Cur). Subsequently, the formulation was analyzed for size, zeta-potential and morphology. And the solubility, stability and release of curcumin were assessed using spectrofluorometer, and the solid state of the curcumin was determined using X-ray diffraction and UV spectroscopy. Furthermore, in PC-3 cells, photothermal response was further determined by irradiating laser after the antitumor effect of SWCNT-Cur was evaluated. Results and discussion: SWCNTs were functionalized, and subsequent SWCNT-Cur conjugates were found to possess an average size of 170.4 nm, a zeta potential of À12.5 mV and to significantly enhance the solubility and stability of curcumin, overcoming the barriers to adequate curcumin delivery. Moreover, curcumin in SWCNT-Cur was in an amorphous form and could be rapidly released. In PC-3 cells, improved inhibition efficacy was achieved by SWCNTCur compared with native curcumin. Meanwhile, the SWCNTs in SWCNT-Cur served not only as scaffolds but also as thermal ablation agents, further inhibiting PC-3 cell growth. Conclusion: SWCNT-Cur assemblies may provide a promising delivery system for curcumin for use in cancer therapy.

Simultaneous monitoring of the drug release and antitumor effect of a novel drug delivery system-MWCNTs/DOX/TC

“…Owing to their high surface area ratio, MWCNTs have strong loading capacity for a variety of agents including biomolecules (proteins or nucleic acids) and chemical drugs (either hydrophilic or hydrophobic) (Li et al, 2014;Qi et al, 2015). They can also increase the bioavailability of these molecules by controlling their release or protecting them from degradation or alleviate their toxicity and harmful side effects through targeted delivery (Mu et al, 2009;Li et al, 2016;Mehra & Palakurthi, 2016).…”

DOTAP functionalizing single-walled carbon nanotubes as non-viral vectors for efficient intracellular siRNA delivery

“…After carefully optimizing these physicochemical parameters, CNT can be used in biomedical applications as biocompatible materials (Lanone et al, 2013). In this study, according to a method reported previously (Li et al, 2013;Wang et al, 2013), pristine SWNT were first treated with acids (H 2 SO 4 and HNO 3 ) and sonication to remove metal contaminants, shorten the length and oxidize the ends to reduce the aggregation. Furthermore, carboxyl groups in oxidated SWNT allow for the possibility of combining with a cation to form a salt, thereby enhancing the solubility of SWNT.…”

“…According to the method reported previously by our group (Li et al, 2013), SWNT were processed with acids (H 2 SO 4 and HNO 3 ) and ultrasound to obtain purified, shortened and oxidized SWNT. Oxidized SWNT were used unless stated otherwise.…”

“…Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) are an important class of artificial nanomaterials and exhibit better potency in creating versatile delivery systems due to the following properties: first, they are readily internalized by various mammalian cells along with their cargo (Li et al, 2013) and second, their very large surface can be modified with functional groups and be loaded with nucleic acids, drugs and proteins (Foldvari & Bagonluri, 2008). Based on the specific ability of direct translocation over the plasma membrane and the structural advantage to be loaded with therapeutics, SWNT have become an area of research that is gaining much interest as a non-viral delivery system of siRNA (Lee et al, 2007;Bates & Kostarelos, 2013).…”

Current application of phytocompound-based nanocosmeceuticals for beauty and skin therapy

“…226,239,240 Recently, curcumin was conjugated to a single wall carbon nanotube for the effective delivery. 241 The role of hyaluronic acids in the delivery of drugs using carbon nanotubes was reviewed recently, 242 and further clinical trials are needed to assess their biosafety. However, a study on the application of carbon nanotubes with phytocompounds in skin care and cosmeceuticals is yet to be done.…”