Magnetic and Photocatalytic Curcumin Bound Carbon Nitride Nanohybrids for Enhanced Glioma Cell Death

Abstract

A mesoporous magnetic nanohybrid functionalized with 14 wt% carbon nitride (CN) and loaded with curcumin (Cur) has been developed as a combination platform for photodynamic therapy and magnetic hyperthermia. CN-Cur complexes on the nanoparticle surface facilitate fast charge separation of hole-electrons under blue light irradiation and subsequent singlet oxygen generation. Cur release from the nanoparticle was significant only when exposed to both lysosomal pH (pH=5.2) and an alternating current magnetic field (AMF). The mesoporous magnetic carbon nitride (MMCN) caused a 350% increase in the level of intracellular ROS as compared to the light exposed untreated control group. The nanohybrid was non-hemolytic and found to be biocompatible with HUVEC cells at concentrations up to 360 µg/mL. A similar concentration under AMF exposure caused a localized temperature rise of 4.2 °C and resulted in a 60% reduction in C6 cell viability. The cancer cell death further increased up to 80% under sequential exposure to light and AMF. The combinatorial treatment exerted significant cytoskeletal and nuclear damage in the cancer cells as assessed by confocal microscopy. The nanohybrid also exhibited relaxivity of 88 mM-1 s-1 , imparting significant T2 weighted contrast to the cancer cells.

Nontoxic Metal-Free Visible Light-Responsive Carbon Nitride Quantum Dots Cause Oxidative Stress and Cancer-Specific Membrane Damage

“…Moreover, the surviving cells treated with CNQDs in the dark showed a healthy nucleus and cytoskeleton (Figure iii). However, photosensitization of g-CNQD-treated cells caused complete loss of cytoskeletal features with significant nuclear damage (Figure iv). − …”

Controlled temperature-mediated curcumin release from magneto-thermal nanocarriers to kill bone tumors

“…Curcumin as a natural herb has been considered as an anti-cancer chemical specifically for osteosarcoma therapy by inhibiting NF-κβ protein and inducing cell apoptosis [ [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] ]. Curcumin was also used as a photoinitiator in photodynamic therapy (PDT) using UV–Vis spectrum, which made it an interesting option for combined cancer therapy [ 12 , 13 ]. Due to the hydrophobicity of curcumin, developing long blood circulating hydrophilic carriers to encapsulate and provide release of sufficient dosage should be seriously considered.…”

Biological Utility of Fluorinated Compounds: from Materials Design to Molecular Imaging, Therapeutics and Environmental Remediation

“…Two main classes of MR contrast agent, namely 1 H relaxation agents and 19 F imaging agents, have been reported in the literature. The 1 H agents are not directly visualized and operate by changing the relaxation properties of 1 H spins of the surrounding water molecules to highlight pathological features in the diseased tissue. − For example, Gd 3+ chelates or analogous paramagnetic complexes, and superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles have been successfully applied in the clinic and often significantly improve 1 H MRI image quality. However, a high background signal and the requirement for elevated dosing are significant drawbacks of these 1 H relaxation agents.…”