Nanocurcumin-Loaded UCNPs for Cancer Theranostics: Physicochemical Properties, In Vitro Toxicity, and In Vivo Imaging Studies

Abstract

Formulation of promising anticancer herbal drug curcumin as a nanoscale-sized curcumin (nanocurcumin) improved its delivery to cells and organisms both in vitro and in vivo. We report on coupling nanocurcumin with upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) using Poly (lactic-co-glycolic Acid) (PLGA) to endow visualisation in the near-infrared transparency window. Nanocurcumin was prepared by solvent-antisolvent method. NaYF4:Yb,Er (UCNP1) and NaYF4:Yb,Tm (UCNP2) nanoparticles were synthesised by reverse microemulsion method and then functionalized it with PLGA to form UCNP-PLGA nanocarrier followed up by loading with the solvent-antisolvent process synthesized herbal nanocurcumin. The UCNP samples were extensively characterised with XRD, Raman, FTIR, DSC, TGA, UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometer, Upconversion spectrofluorometer, HRSEM, EDAX and Zeta Potential analyses. UCNP1-PLGA-nanocurcumin exhibited emission at 520, 540, 660 nm and UCNP2-PLGA-nanocurmin showed emission at 480 and 800 nm spectral bands. UCNP-PLGA-nanocurcumin incubated with rat glioblastoma cells demonstrated moderate cytotoxicity, 60–80% cell viability at 0.12–0.02 mg/mL marginally suitable for therapeutic applications. The cytotoxicity of UCNPs evaluated in tumour spheroids models confirmed UCNP-PLGA-nanocurcumin therapeutic potential. As-synthesised curcumin-loaded nanocomplexes were administered in tumour-bearing laboratory animals (Lewis lung cancer model) and showed adequate contrast to enable in vivo and ex vivo study of UCNP-PLGA-nanocurcumin bio distribution in organs, with dominant distribution in the liver and lungs. Our studies demonstrate promise of nanocurcumin-loaded upconversion nanoparticles for theranostics applications.

Controllable structural and optical properties of NaYF4:Tm, Yb microparticles by Yb3+ doping for anti-counterfeiting

“…Peaks at 492 and 626 cm −1 were assigned to the Na–F bonding vibrational frequencies. 27–29 Nevertheless, two dominant broad bands around 275 cm −1 and 745 cm −1 attributed to the cubic phase of NaYF 4 are not observed in all spectra. 30 An increase in Yb concentrations does not affect the crystal structure of NaYF 4 .…”

Applications of Curcumin and Its Nanoforms in the Treatment of Cancer

“…Curcumin nanoparticles, functionalized with polymeric, metallic, or lipidic nanoparticles, can easily be carried across the membrane and released at the target. Curcumin loaded with biocompatible polyester-origin polymer poly(D,L-lactide), PLA, was used to study the stabilization and cytotoxicity, where the encapsulated nanocurcumin showed higher resistance to photobleaching as well as photodegradation [ 61 ]. Microscopic lamellar structures called niosomes can be loaded with metal nanoparticles, along with curcumin resulting in an enhanced drug delivery [ 62 , 63 ].…”

Nano-Drug Delivery Systems Entrapping Natural Bioactive Compounds for Cancer: Recent Progress and Future Challenges

“…In another research, nano curcumin was combined with rare-earth-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) was used to promote sustained drug delivery and drug release, targeting, minimizing the non-specific consumption by undesirable tissues, and enhancing its aqueous solubility ( 276 ). Curcumin -incorporated PLGA nanoparticles have exhibited increased cellular uptake, induction of apoptosis, suppression of tumor cell proliferation, and improvement in bioavailability.…”

“…Curcumin -incorporated PLGA nanoparticles have exhibited increased cellular uptake, induction of apoptosis, suppression of tumor cell proliferation, and improvement in bioavailability. The advantage of combining UCNP and nano curcumin lies in the upconversion of visible light leading to the excitement of photosensitizer and favoring the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) which can be used in the examination of in vivo interaction between bimolecular entities ( 276 ).…”