title: Curcumin-encapsulated MePEG/PCL diblock copolymeric micelles: a novel controlled delivery vehicle for cancer therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop a suitable formulation of curcumin-encapsulated methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (MePEG)/poly-epsilon-caprolactone (PCL) diblock copolymeric micelle by varying the copolymer ratio, for achieving small sized micelles with high encapsulation of curcumin. To evaluate the micelle's aqueous solubility and stability, efficiency of cellular uptake, cell cytotoxicity and ability to induce apoptosis on pancreatic cell lines.
  
  
  METHODS
  Amphiphilic diblock copolymers (composed of MePEG and PCL) were used in various ratios for the preparation of curcumin-encapsulated micelles using a modified dialysis method. Physicochemical characterization of the formulation included size and surface charge measurement, transmission electron microscopy characterization, spectroscopic analysis, stability and in vitro release kinetics studies. The anticancer efficacy of the curcumin-encapsulated micelle formulation was compared with unmodified curcumin in terms of cellular uptake, cell cytotoxicity and apoptosis of pancreatic cell lines MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Physiochemical characterization of the formulations revealed that curcumin was efficiently encapsulated in all formulation of MePEG/PCL micelles; however, a 40:60 MePEG:PCL ratio micelle was chosen for experimental studies owing to its high encapsulation (approximately 60%) with size (approximately 110 nm) and negative zeta potential (approximately -16 mV). Curcumin-encapsulated micelles increased the bioavailability of curcumin due to enhanced uptake (2.95 times more compared with unmodified) with comparative cytotoxic activity (by induction of apoptosis) compared with unmodified curcumin at equimolar concentrations. IC(50) values for unmodified curcumin and curcumin micelles were found to be 24.75 microM and 22.8 microM for PANC-1 and 14.96 microM and 13.85 microM for MIA PaCa-2, respectively. Together the results clearly indicate the promise of a micellar system for efficient solubilization, stabilization and controlled delivery of the hydrophobic drug curcumin for cancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Nanomedicine, Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India.
authors.forename: Chandana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mohanty
authors.forename: Sarbari
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Acharya
authors.forename: Anjan K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Mohanty
authors.forename: Fahima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dilnawaz
authors.forename: Sanjeeb K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Sahoo
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003474:Curcumin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008823:Micelles; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D008823:Micelles; D011091:Polyesters; C016240:polycaprolactone; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C028210:monomethoxypolyethylene glycol; D003474:Curcumin