Delivery of curcumin by fucoidan-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles: Fabrication, characterization, and in vitro release performance

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) are effective drug delivery carriers because of their adjustable large pore size and high porosity. In this study, complex nanoparticles containing disulfide bonds (SS) were designed and prepared as curcumin (Cur) carriers by using fucoidan (FUC) and MSN as the polymer matrix. The product was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and an N2 adsorption and desorption test. When the mass ratio of MSN to FUC was 2:1, the nanospheres particle size was the smallest (295.6 ± 0.98 nm, -35.2 ± 0.8 mV). Furthermore, the curcumin encapsulation rate by MSN-Cur-SS-FUC was over 90%, and the cumulative release rate in 24 h was over 80% due to the combined effect of weak acidity and high glutathione concentration in the tumor site microenvironment. When the Cur concentration was 50 μg/mL, the cell viability of free Cur was 63.8%, the cell viability of MSN-Cur-SS-FUC was 14.5%, and the cell viability of MSN-SS-FUC at the same concentration remained above 74.6%. MSN-SS-FUC composite nanoparticles showed a good delivery of Cur, a lipid-soluble active compound, and provides a new delivery route for other lipid-soluble and poorly bioavailable active compounds.