Evaluation of folic acid tagged aminated starch/ZnO coated iron oxide nanoparticles as targeted curcumin delivery system.

The role of 'superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles' has gained considerable interest in various biomedical applications. However extensive researches are still going on to modify the nanoparticle size, surface properties etc. in order to get full benefit of the material. In this study, iron oxide nanoparticles have been modified with folic acid tagged aminated starch/ZnO coating to formulate a targeted drug delivery system. The nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy. Both the swelling and in vitro drug release was performed in both acidic and alkaline pH. The cytotoxicity of the drug loaded nanoparticles was analysed by MTT assay in human lymphocytes, HepG2 and MCF7 cell lines. The cell uptake efficiencies and Reactive Oxygen Species generation with the drug loaded nanoparticles was estimated in HepG2 cell lines. The uptake capacity of fluorescein isothiocyanate tagged nanoparticles was assessed by fluorescence microscope.

Effect of crosslinker on drug delivery properties of curcumin loaded starch coated iron oxide nanoparticles.

Aminated starch coated iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles loaded with curcumin were synthesized via coprecipitation technique. The nanoparticles were crosslinked by using three different crosslinkers: glutaraldehyde, genipin and citric acid and the effect of crosslinking on different properties of the nanoparticles was evaluated. Characterisation of the nanoparticles was done with FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy) and XRD (X-Ray Diffraction). Magnetic property study using VSM (Vibrating Sample Magnetometer) showed their superparamagnetic nature. Morphology of the nanoparticles was studied by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy). Zeta potential values showed that crosslinking imparted stability to the system. Crosslinking also enhanced drug loading and encapsulation efficiency of the system. Swelling and in vitro studies of the nanoparticles showed that the release of drug was dependent on time, crosslinker nature, crosslinker concentration and pH of the medium. The aminated starch coated nanoparticles also showed good mucoadhesive character. The cell viability assessment by MTT study revealed their compatibility with human lymphocytes cells and their considerable cell growth inhibiting properties with MCF7 and HepG2 cells. The nanoparticles showed good internalization in HepG2 cells along with considerable ROS formation.