Stimulus-responsive starch-based nanocapsules for targeted delivery and antibacterial applications

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Drug Delivery

Background:

• Polysaccharide materials are favored in biomedicine for their safety and biodegradability.
• Starch modification offers a versatile platform for developing novel nanomaterials.
• Curcumin is a potent therapeutic agent with limitations in bioavailability and targeted delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel starch-based nanocapsules loaded with curcumin (FA-RSNCs@CUR).
• To evaluate the drug release kinetics, cellular uptake, biocompatibility, and antibacterial properties of FA-RSNCs@CUR.
• To explore the potential of FA-RSNCs@CUR in food preservation and wound dressing.

Main Methods:

• Starch modification using chloroacetic acid, folic acid (FA), and thioglycolic acid.
• Preparation of curcumin-loaded nanocapsules (FA-RSNCs@CUR) via oxidation method.
• Characterization of particle size, in vitro drug release studies under simulated tumor microenvironment conditions, cellular uptake studies using HeLa cells, cytotoxicity assays, and antibacterial property evaluation.

Main Results:

• FA-RSNCs@CUR were prepared with a stable particle size of approximately 100 nm.
• In vitro drug release studies showed a cumulative curcumin release rate of 85.18% at 12 hours.
• FA-RSNCs@CUR demonstrated rapid internalization by HeLa cells (4 hours) mediated by FA receptors.
• Cytotoxicity assays confirmed good biocompatibility and protection of normal cells.
• FA-RSNCs@CUR exhibited significant in vitro antibacterial properties.

Conclusions:

• FA-RSNCs@CUR are a promising nanocarrier system for curcumin delivery.
• The nanocapsules possess excellent biocompatibility, targeted cellular uptake, and effective drug release.
• FA-RSNCs@CUR show potential for applications in food preservation and wound dressing due to their properties.