Preparation, Characterization and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Curcuminoid Compound Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles for Chemotherapy of Cancer

Abstract

The current study aimed to evaluate the formulation, characterization, and in vitro drug release properties of polymeric nanoparticles loaded with a curcuminoid compound, using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a surfactant and pegylated PLGA 50:50 as the polymer. Drug-excipient compatibility studies using FTIR confirmed no significant chemical interactions between the components, indicating the stability and compatibility of the formulation. Nanoparticles were prepared using the double emulsion solvent evaporation (DESE) method, yielding formulations with varying concentrations of PVA as the stabilizer. The nanoparticles exhibited high yields, with PPNF-1 showing the highest at 81.23%. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed a predominantly spherical shape with a smooth surface, indicative of successful encapsulation and desirable size distribution. Key characteristics, including particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, drug loading, and entrapment efficiency, were evaluated. PPNF-4 emerged as the most optimal formulation with the highest stability, drug loading, and entrapment efficiency, although PPNF-1 demonstrated the most uniform particle size distribution. In vitro drug release studies over 168 hours demonstrated that PPNF-4 had the most effective sustained release profile, achieving a cumulative release of 87.44%. Cytotoxicity via MTT assay showed that the free drug had higher cell viability compared to PLGA nanoparticles, indicating lower cytotoxicity. These findings highlighted the potential of PPNF-4 for applications requiring rapid onset followed by sustained drug release, while emphasizing the need for further optimization to balance therapeutic efficacy and biocompatibility.