Curcumin-loaded polysaccharide nanoparticles: Optimization and anticariogenic activity against Streptococcus mutans

Curcumin was loaded into different polysaccharide nanoparticles chitosan, alginate and starch, using the desolvation method. Curcumin-loaded nanoparticles exhibited enhanced solubility in aqueous solutions comparing with free curcumin. Effects of formulation parameters such as curcumin concentration and different volumes of ethanolic solution were affected the particle size and loading efficiency. Under optimum conditions, curcuminloaded chitosan, starch and alginate nanoparticles with mean particles sizes of 66.3, 61.1 and 78.8 nm, and maximum loading efficiencies of 11.9%, 14.3% and 1335% were achieved, respectively. Additionally, the minimum inhibitory concentration for chitosan, starch and alginate nanoparticles against the microorganism, Streptococcus mutans, were 0.114, 0.204 and 0.204 mg/mL, respectively. Curcumin was observed to release from nanoparticles under physiological pH over a period of 96 h. The effect of curcumin-loaded nanoparticles on S. mutans biofilms was assessed on dental models. According to the results, curcumin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles hold promises for being used in dental decay fighting products. (C)2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.