Preparation, Characterization and Evaluation of a Novel Drug Carrier for the Controlled Release of Curcumin

Abstract

The upsurge of cancer demands intense, rapid and effective intervention from the scientific society. Even though nanoparticles helped achieving this, maintaining its size without using toxic capping agents is challenging. Phytochemicals having reducing properties is a proper substitute and the efficiency of such nanoparticles could be further improved by grafting with suitable monomers. It could be further protected from rapid biodegradation by coating with suitable materials. This approach was utilized wherein, the green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNps) were initially functionalized with –COOH to couple with –NH2 groups of ethylene diamine. It was then coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and hydrogen bonded with curcumin. The formed amide bonds could effectively uptake drug molecules and sensed environmental pH. Swelling studies and release profiles confirmed selective drug release. All these results along with those obtained from MTT assay, suggested the potential applicability of the prepared material in pH sensitive drug delivery of curcumin.

Preparation, characterization and in vivo pharmacokinetic study of ginsenoside Rb1-PLGA nanoparticles

“…Another study utilized liposomes to encapsulate GRb1, demonstrating targeted delivery to atherosclerotic plaques and alleviation of inflammation 32 . NPs offer a platform to encapsulate drugs within colloidal particles at the nanoscale, thereby extending the drug's duration of action within the body 33 . In this research, we selected PLGA as the carrier and poloxamer as the solvent to prepare GRb1-loaded NPs using an emulsion solvent evaporation method.…”