Curcumin loaded fibrinogen nanoparticles for cancer drug delivery

In this work we prepared and evaluated the curcumin loaded fibrinogen nanoparticles (CRC-FNPs) as a novel drug delivery system for cancer therapy. These novel CRC-FNPs were prepared by a two-step co-acervation method using calcium chloride as the cross-linker. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. DLS studies showed that the particle size of CRC-FNPs was in the range of 150-200 nm. The loading efficiency (LE) and in vitro drug release were studied using UV spectrophotometer. The LE was found to be 90%. The cytotoxicity was studied using L929 (mouse fibroblast), PC3 (prostate) and MCF7 (breast) cancer cell lines by MTT assay, which confirmed that CRC-FNPs were comparatively non toxic to L929 cell line while toxic to PC3 and MCF7 cancer cells. Cellular uptake of CRC-FNPs studied using L929, MCF-7 and PC3 cells monitored by fluorescent microscopy, demonstrated significant internalization and retention of nanoparticles inside the cells. The preferential accumulation of curcumin within the cancer cells were also confirmed by flowcytometry based uptake studies. The apoptosis assay showed increased apoptosis on MCF-7 compared to L929 cells. The blood compatibility of CRC-FNPs throws light on the fact that it is possible to administer the prepared nanoformulation intravenously. The results indicated that CRC-FNPs could be a promising therapeutic agent for cancer treatment.