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Enhancing curcumin bioavailability using bifunctional periodic mesoporous organosilica for pH-responsive anticancer
Sedigheh Abedanzadeh1, Babak Karimi2, Omid Pourshiani2
1Faculty of Chemistry, Kharazmi University, Tehran, 15719-14911, Iran; Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract:
This research aimed to improve the bioavailability and anticancer efficacy of curcumin by leveraging the unique properties of bifunctional periodic mesoporous organosilica (BFPMO). The imidazolium and benzene organic moieties embedded in the pore walls of BFPMO, play dual supporting and stabilizing functions for curcumin without causing pore blockage, thereby facilitating high drug loading content (60 %) and excellent encapsulation efficiency (88 %). Comprehensive structural analyses (N₂ adsorption-desorption, FT-IR, TGA, HRTEM, FESEM, EDAX) confirmed successful curcumin immobilization. BFPMO demonstrated good hemocompatibility, and DPPH assays showed improved curcumin stability after encapsulation. In vitro release studies revealed a strong pH-responsive profile. CUR@BFPMO significantly reduced the viability of HEPG2 and A2780 cancer cells while exhibiting lower toxicity toward NIH-3T3 normal cells. Flow cytometry and fluorescence imaging indicated time-dependent apoptosis induction. These findings highlight the potential of BFPMO as a smart, biocompatible nanocarrier for curcumin delivery, offering improved bioavailability, pH-responsive release, and enhanced anticancer efficacy.
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