Macrophage membrane-coated self-assembled curcumin nanoparticle missile for the treatment of colorectal cancer

Curcumin is a natural compound with various anti-cancer properties, but its poor solubility and low bioavailability limit its clinical application. In this study, we developed a novel nanoparticle system based on curcumin self-assembly, polydopamine modification and macrophage membrane coating (Cur-PDA@CM) to overcome these challenges. The Cur-PDA@CM nanoparticles exhibited high drug loading, enhanced stability, excellent photothermal effects and powerful anti-tumor efficacy. Moreover, the macrophage membrane endows the nanoparticles with active targeting ability to tumor tissues. We evaluated the anti-tumor efficacy of Cur-PDA@CM in vitro and in vivo using a murine colon carcinoma model. The results showed that Cur-PDA@CM could effectively inhibit tumor growth and induce apoptosis by releasing curcumin, generating reactive oxygen species and polarizing tumor-associated macrophages towards the M1 phenotype. The combination of Cur-PDA@CM with near-infrared irradiation further enhanced the therapeutic outcomes by facilitating drug release and photothermal therapy. The Cur-PDA@CM system represents a promising platform for delivering natural products with poor solubility and harnessing their full anti-cancer potential.