The remarkable role of emulsifier and chitosan, dextran and PEG as capping agents in the enhanced delivery of curcumin by nanoparticles in breast cancer cells

Curcumin has been found to be a powerful anti-cancer agent. However, its efficacy is limited by its poor solubility in aqueous medium. The bioavailability of curcumin was increased by poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid [PLGA (60/40)] nanoparticles with different capping agents such as Chitosan, Dextran and PEG and emulsifier (Tocopherol Poly (Ethylene Glycol)1000 Succinate: TPGS) with good drug loading and delivery performance. The preparation of nanoparticles derived from PLGA was achieved by emulsion solvent evaporation method and the resultant nanoparticles were characterized. The encapsulation efficiency of curcumin by PLGA NPs with different capping agents such as Chitosan, PEG and Dextran and emulsifier lies in the range of 82% to 89% and the anti-oxidant activity is 80%. The in vitro anticancer activity of PLGA nanoparticles embedded with curcumin and different capping agents on MCF-7 indicates that they are more effective in arresting cell growth. The cellular uptake of TPGS emulsified dextran capped curcumin encapsulated PLGA NPs is much higher when compared to that of PLGA NPs with other capping agents, emulsifier and free curcumin.