Magnetic-Silk Core–Shell Nanoparticles as Potential Carriers for Targeted Delivery of Curcumin into Human Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract

Curcumin is a promising anti-cancer drug but its applications in cancer therapy are limited due to its poor solubility, short half-life and low bioavailability. In this paper, we present a curcumin loaded magnetic silk fibroin core-shell nanoparticle system for sustained release of curcumin into breast cancer cells. Curcumin loaded magnetic silk fibroin core-shell nanoparticles were fabricated by a simple salting-out method using sodium phosphate with magnetic nanoparticles. The size, zeta potential, encapsulation/ loading efficiency and curcumin release rate were controlled and optimised by regulating silk fibroin concentration, pH value of the phosphate solution and curcumin usage. Curcumin loaded magnetic silk fibroin core-shell nanoparticles showed enhanced cytotoxicity and higher cellular uptake in the human Caucasian breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MDA-MB-231cells) evidenced by MTT and cellular uptake assays. In addition, silk fibroin nanoparticles and magnetic silk fibroin nanoparticles without curcumin loaded were used as controls. The particles prepared using sodium phosphate showed significantly smaller diameter (90-350 nm) compared with those prepared using potassium phosphate, which possess a diameter range of 500-1200 nm. These smaller particles are superior for biomedical applications since such size range is particularly desired for cell internalization. In addition, the magnetic cores inside the particles provide possibility of using an external magnet for cancer targeting.

Silk Fibroin-Based Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications: A Review

“…The delivery of DOX was performed using external magnetic guidance, and thus, good antitumor efficacy was achieved against multidrug-resistant MCF-7/ADR tumors with survival rate up to 100% within 30 days. In addition to the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents, such as DOX, paclitaxel, and cisplatin, researchers have become increasingly interested in the delivery of natural potential antitumor compounds, such as curcumin, using SF-based biomaterials [123][124][125]. For example, Song et al used a strategy similar to that employed by Qu et al [121] to prepare curcumin-encapsulated magnetic SF nanoparticles via one-pot sodium phosphate salting out [124].…”

“…In addition to the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents, such as DOX, paclitaxel, and cisplatin, researchers have become increasingly interested in the delivery of natural potential antitumor compounds, such as curcumin, using SF-based biomaterials [123][124][125]. For example, Song et al used a strategy similar to that employed by Qu et al [121] to prepare curcumin-encapsulated magnetic SF nanoparticles via one-pot sodium phosphate salting out [124]. Nevertheless, although the system exhibited good cellular uptake and remarkable growth inhibition toward human breast adeno-carcinoma MDA-MB-231 cells, its in vivo antitumor efficacy has not been demonstrated.…”

Nanoantioxidants: Recent Trends in Antioxidant Delivery Applications

“…However, the tailoring of Fe 2 O 3 NPs via different strategies including coating with carbon [55], carboxymethyl-inulin [56], and poly(GA) [57], surface functionalization with natural antioxidant (GA) [27], as well as curcumin in magnetic-silk core-shell nanoparticles [58], was successfully accomplished. These tailored Fe 2 O 3 NP composites showed better dispersibility and stability and were evaluated for the efficient antioxidant properties, antimicrobial activities, and targeted drug delivery to the specific organs, as well as being analyzed for their cytotoxicity and biocompatibility/hemocompatibility [27,[55][56][57][58][59]. Surface-functionalized Fe 2 O 3 NPs with GA by in situ and post-synthesis with an average particle size of 5 and 8 nm, respectively, exhibited a 2-4 fold enhanced IC50 values of DPPH antioxidant assay compared to nonfunctionalized Fe 2 O 3 NPs.…”

Protein and Polysaccharide-Based Magnetic Composite Materials for Medical Applications

“…Song et al [163] used silk fibroin in conjunction with MNPs to deliver curcumin ( Figure 8C), an anticancer drug has limitations such as low bioavailability, poor solubility, and short half-life. The goal of this study was to improve the effects of the drug with the introduction of the magnetic silk fibroin core.…”