Recent Trends in Curcumin-Containing Inorganic-Based Nanoparticles Intended for In Vivo Cancer Therapy

Abstract

Curcumin is a natural compound that has been widely investigated thanks to its various biological properties, including antiproliferative. This molecule acts on different cancers such as lung, breast, pancreatic, colorectal, etc. However, the bioactive actions of curcumin have limitations when its physicochemical properties compromise its pharmacological potential. As a therapeutic strategy against cancer, curcumin has been associated with inorganic nanoparticles. These nanocarriers are capable of delivering curcumin and offering physicochemical properties that synergistically enhance anticancer properties. This review highlights the different types of curcumin-based inorganic nanoparticles and discusses their physicochemical properties and in vivo anticancer activity in different models of cancer.

Polysaccharides as a Hydrophilic Building Block of Amphiphilic Block Copolymers for the Conception of Nanocarriers

“…[ 1 ]. In particular, nano-sized drug delivery systems have been extensively investigated because of their outstanding properties such as good stability and high drug load and their feasibility of incorporating both hydrophobic and hydrophilic molecules, as well as various drug administration routes (inhalation, oral, topical, and parenteral injection) [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Moreover, nanocarriers enable to improve the drug bioavailability, to diminish the dosing frequency, to reduce the side effects, and to achieve targeted drug delivery [ 7 , 8 ].…”

“…Hybrid nanocarriers have also been designed to take advantage of both polymers and inorganic materials [ 15 ]. Similarly, inorganic nanoparticles have been prepared to deliver drugs to the tumor site to improve drug effectiveness [ 5 ]. Nevertheless, polymeric drug delivery systems have attracted more attention because their sizes, geometries, surface properties, and structures can be tailored by varying the chemical composition and topology of the polymers which compose the systems [ 16 ].…”