Curcumin conjugated silica nanoparticles for improving bioavailability and its anticancer applications

J Agric Food Chem. 2013 Oct 9;61(40):9632-7. doi: 10.1021/jf402894x. Epub 2013 Sep 26.

Abstract

Curcumin, a yellow bioactive component of Indian spice turmeric, is known to have a wide spectrum of biological applications. In spite of various astounding therapeutic properties, it lacks in bioavailability mainly due to its poor solubility in water. In this work, we have conjugated curcumin with silica nanoparticles to improve its aqueous solubility and hence to make it more bioavailable. Conjugation and loading of curcumin with silica nanoparticles was further examined with transmission electron microscope (TEM) and thermogravimetric analyzer. Cytotoxicity analysis of synthesized silica:curcumin conjugate was studied against HeLa cell lines as well as normal fibroblast cell lines. This study shows that silica:curcumin conjugate has great potential for anticancer application.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacokinetics*
  • Biological Availability
  • Curcumin / pharmacokinetics*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry*
  • Solubility

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Silicon Dioxide
  • Curcumin