A novel approach of encapsulating curcumin and succinylated derivative in mannosylated-chitosan nanoparticles

Curcumin (CUR) manifests anti-colon cancer activity but suffers from low solubility, bioavailability, and insta-bility, rendering it not as effective as its chemotherapeutic cousins. Here, we conjugate CUR to succinic anhy-dride (SA), (CUR.SA conjugate), subsequently formulated in mannose-conjugated chitosan nanoparticles (CUR -NPs and CUR.SA-NPs). Instrumental analyses confirmed formation of CUR.SA and mannosylated chitosan (CM) conjugates, with CUR.SA being less crystalline thus, more soluble. Average particle size of CUR-NPs and CUR.SA-NPs were 268 +/- 6 nm and 342 +/- 4.6 nm, with drug entrapment of 93.34 +/- 0.40 % and 98.46 +/- 0.06 % respectively. In vitro releases of CUR and CUR.SA from nanoparticles in pH 1.2 and 6.8 media were slow and sustained over 2 h and 72 h, respectively. The physical characteristics of the nanoparticles were unchanged over 3 weeks of storage. Thus, a successful CUR.SA conjugate has been developed, couriered in CM nanoparticles, with favorable attributes that warrant further anti-colon cancer studies, which is ongoing.

Automated summary

In this study, a successful CUR.SA conjugate has been developed and encapsulated in CM nanoparticles, showing favorable attributes for further anti-colon cancer research.