Curcumin application as an anti‐cancer drug is faced with several impediments. This study has developed a platform that facilitates the sustained release of curcumin, improves loading efficiency, and anti‐cancer activity. Montmorillonite (MMT) nanoparticles were added to chitosan (CS)‐agarose (Aga) hydrogel and then loaded with curcumin (Cur) to prepare a curcumin‐loaded nanocomposite hydrogel. The loading capacity increased from 63% to 76% by adding MMT nanoparticles to a chitosan‐agarose hydrogel. Loading the fabricated nanocomposite in the nanoniosomal emulsion resulted in sustained release of curcumin under acidic conditions. Release kinetics analysis showed diffusion and erosion are the dominant release mechanisms, indicating non‐fickian (or anomalous) transport based on the Korsmeyer‐Peppas model. FTIR spectra confirmed that all nanocomposite components were present in the fabricated nanocomposite. Besides, XRD results corroborated the amorphous structure of the prepared nanocomposite. Zeta potential results corroborated the stability of the fabricated nanocarrier. Cytotoxicity of the prepared CS‐Aga‐MMT‐Cur on MCF‐7 cells was comparable with that of curcumin‐treated cells (p < 0.001). Moreover, the percentage of apoptotic cells increased due to the enhanced release profile resulting from the addition of MMT to the hydrogel and the incorporation of the fabricated nanocomposite into the nanoniosomal emulsion. To recapitulate, the current delivery platform improved loading, sustained release, and curcumin anti‐cancer effect. Hence, this platform could be a potential candidate to mitigate cancer therapy restrictions with curcumin.
The early diagnosis of certain fatal diseases is vital for preventing severe consequences and contributes to a more effective treatment. Despite numerous conventional methods to realize this goal, employing nanobiosensors is a novel approach that provides a fast and precise detection. Recently, nanomaterials have been widely applied as biosensors with distinctive features. Graphite phase carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is a two-dimensional (2D) carbon-based nanostructure that has received attention in biosensing. Biocompatibility, biodegradability, semiconductivity, high photoluminescence yield, low-cost synthesis, easy production process, antimicrobial activity, and high stability are prominent properties that have rendered g-C3N4 a promising candidate to be used in electrochemical, optical, and other kinds of biosensors. This review presents the g-C3N4 unique features, synthesis methods, and g-C3N4-based nanomaterials. In addition, recent relevant studies on using g-C3N4 in biosensors in regard to improving treatment pathways are reviewed.
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