Carboxymethyl cellulose@multi wall carbon nanotubes functionalized with Ugi reaction as a new curcumin carrier

In recent years, the fabrication of new drug delivery systems (DDSs) based on functionalization by multi-component reactions (MCRs) has received special attention. In this regard, to obtain a new oral administration system for colon-specific cancer treatment, the CMC@MWCNTs@FCA carrier was designed and prepared from the functionalization of the CMC@MWCNTs as a biocompatible raw material with carboxamide group by the Ugi reaction. FT-IR analysis confirmed the successful synthesis of the product through the change in the functional groups of reagents. Additionally, the crystalline structure and porosity of the samples were studied by XRD and BET techniques. After a detailed characterization, the curcumin (CUR) was loaded on CMC@MWCNTs and CMC@MWCNTs@FCA, respectively, about 29 % and 38 %. In vitro drug release behavior studies for CUR-loaded CMC@MWCNTs@FCA showed the controlled release for it, so 11.6 % and 76.5 % of CUR, respectively were released at pH 1.2 and pH 7.4. Toxicological analysis displayed the IC₅₀ of CMC@MWCNTs@FCA@CUR is 752 μg/mL. In conclusion, the obtained findings display that the fabricated system can be proposed as a biocompatible carrier for specific colon cancer treatment.