Curcumin-crosslinked single-chain polymer nanoparticles as potential polymer-drug conjugates


Batu H. K., Öztürk Civelek D., Temel B.

International Journal of Polymeric Materials and Polymeric Biomaterials, cilt.74, sa.18, ss.1672-1682, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 74 Sayı: 18
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/00914037.2025.2481428
  • Dergi Adı: International Journal of Polymeric Materials and Polymeric Biomaterials
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Compendex, INSPEC
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1672-1682
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: chain collapse, curcumin, polymer-drug conjugates, Reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization, single-chain polymer nanoparticle
  • Bezmiâlem Vakıf Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Single-chain polymer nanoparticles (SCNPs) conjugated with curcumin were developed via Williamson etherification, offering a promising platform for drug delivery. Poly[(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate)-r-(2-bromoethyl methacrylate)] was synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain- transfer (RAFT) polymerization, with an 80:20 ratio chosen for optimal properties. Curcumin conjugation to 2-bromoethyl methacrylate (BEMA) units was confirmed through UV-Vis and NMR spectroscopy. The obtained SCNPs exhibited reduced molecular weights and hydrodynamic diameters (<7.66 nm) compared to their polymer precursors as confirmed by GPC and DLS. TEM analyses revealed that the obtained SCNPs exhibited spherical morphology. SCNP-2 exhibited pH-responsive curcumin release, with a cumulative release of 48% at pH 5.0 and 8% at pH 7.4 over 20 d. Cellular uptake studies revealed significant SCNP-2 accumulation in MDA-MB-231 cells. Cytotoxicity assays showed selective toxicity against cancer cells, while the polymer alone exhibited no cytotoxicity, highlighting its safety. These findings suggest that curcumin-conjugated SCNPs have potential as targeted cancer therapy agents.