Open AccessPolymeric curcumin nanoparticles by a facile in situ method for macrophage targeted delivery
Author(s) -
Jahagirdar Priyanka S.,
Gupta Pramod K.,
Kulkarni Savita P.,
Devarajan Padma V.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
bioengineering and translational medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2380-6761
DOI - 10.1002/btm2.10112
Subject(s) - curcumin , macrophage , confocal microscopy , nanocarriers , in situ , flow cytometry , phagocytosis , intracellular , chemistry , nanoparticle , confocal , nanotechnology , differential scanning calorimetry , biophysics , in vitro , materials science , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , biology , organic chemistry , geometry , mathematics , physics , thermodynamics
Targeting macrophages is a promising strategy for improved therapy of intracellular infections as macrophages exhibit rapid phagocytosis of particles >200 nm. Entrapment of Curcumin (CUR) in nanocarriers could provide bioenhancement and macrophage targeting. We present a simple and facile in situ nanoprecipitation approach for instantaneous and on‐site generation of curcumin nanoparticles (ISCurNP). ISCurNP optimised by Box‐Behnken design exhibited average size of 208.25 ± 7.55 nm and entrapment efficiency of 90.16 ± 1.17%. Differential scanning calorimetry and X‐Ray diffraction confirmed amorphization of CUR in ISCurNP. Sustained release was observed over 72 hr in vitro at lysosomal pH 4.5. Rapid and high uptake in RAW 264.7 macrophages was confirmed by flow cytometry and high performance liquid chromatography. Confocal microscopy established localisation of ISCurNP in lysosomal compartment. The facile in situ nanoprecipitation method provides simple, scalable technology to enable macrophage targeted delivery of CUR, with great promise for improved therapy of intracellular infections.