Synthesis, characterization, and in vitro evaluation of curcumin-loaded albumin nanoparticles surface-functionalized with glycyrrhetinic acid

Figures & data

Figure 1 Differential scanning calorimetry for reagents.

Notes: (A) Bovine serum albumin, (B) physical mixture, (C) curcumin, and (D) curcumin-loaded albumin nanoparticles.

Abbreviation: DSC, differential scanning calorimetry.

Figure 2 Fourier transform infrared spectra for reagents.

Notes: (A) GA, (B) bovine serum albumin, (C) N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of GA, and (D) albumin nanoparticles surface-functionalized with GA.

Abbreviation: GA, glycyrrhetinic acid.

Figure 3 Transmission electron micrographs and size distribution of curcumin-loaded albumin nanoparticles (A, C) and curcumin-loaded albumin nanoparticles surface-functionalized with GA (B, D).

Abbreviation: GA, glycyrrhetinic acid.

Table 1 Basic characterization of nanoparticles

	Particle size (nm)	PDI	EE (%)	DL (%)
Ccn-BNPs	225.5±3.8	0.073±0.033	84.87±3.38	24.25±0.96
Ccn-BNP-GA	258.8±6.4	0.111±0.019	88.55±5.54	25.30±1.58

Abbreviations: EE, entrapment efficiency; DL, drug loading; GA, glycyrrhetinic acid; PDI, polydispersity index; Ccn-BNP-GA, curcumin-loaded albumin nanoparticles surface-functionalized with GA; Ccn-BNPs, curcumin-loaded albumin nanoparticles.

Figure 4 Flow curve on a Sephadex-50 column.

Abbreviations: BNP, albumin nanoparticle; GA, glycyrrhetinic acid.

Figure 5 In vitro release profiles of Ccn-sus, Ccn-BNPs, and Ccn-BNP-GA.

Abbreviations: Ccn-sus, curcumin suspension; Ccn-BNPs, curcumin-loaded albumin nanoparticles; Ccn-BNP-GA, curcumin-loaded albumin nanoparticles surface-functionalized with GA; GA, glycyrrhetinic acid.

Figure 6 In vitro cytotoxicity of Ccn-sus, Ccn-BNPs, Ccn-BNP-GA, and GA + Ccn-BNP-GA against HepG2 cells for 24 hours.

Notes: Each point represents the mean ± standard deviation (n=6). *P<0.05 compared with Ccn-BNPs, ^#P<0.05 compared with Ccn-BNP-GA.

Abbreviations: Ccn-sus, curcumin suspension; Ccn-BNPs, curcumin-loaded albumin nanoparticles; Ccn-BNP-GA, curcumin-loaded albumin nanoparticles surface-functionalized with GA; GA, glycyrrhetinic acid.

Figure 7 Photographs of HepG2 cells treated with curcumin suspension, curcumin-loaded albumin nanoparticles, curcumin-loaded albumin nanoparticles surface-functionalized with GA, and GA + curcumin-loaded albumin nanoparticles surface-functionalized with GA for 24 hours.

Notes: (A) Control; (B) Ccn-sus; (C) Ccn-BNPs; (D) Ccn-BNP-GA; (E) GA+Ccn-BNP-GA.

Abbreviations: Ccn-sus, curcumin suspension; Ccn-BNPs, curcumin-loaded albumin nanoparticles; Ccn-BNP-GA, curcumin-loaded albumin nanoparticles surface-functionalized with GA; GA, glycyrrhetinic acid.

Figure 8 Effect of free GA on the ability of Ccn-BNP-GA to bind to HepG2 cells over 24 hours.

Notes: *P<0.05 compared with Ccn-sus, ^#P<0.05 compared with free GA + Ccn-BNP-GA. The results are expressed as the mean ± standard deviation (n=3).

Abbreviations: Ccn-sus, curcumin suspension; Ccn-BNPs, curcumin-loaded albumin nanoparticles; Ccn-BNP-GA, curcumin-loaded albumin nanoparticles surface-functionalized with GA; GA, glycyrrhetinic acid.

Figure 9 Effect of curcumin-induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells exposed to various formulations for 24 hours.

Notes: (A) Control, (B) curcumin suspension, (C) curcumin-loaded albumin nanoparticles, (D) curcumin-loaded albumin nanoparticles surface-functionalized with GA, and (E) GA + curcumin-loaded albumin nanoparticles surface-functionalized with GA.

Abbreviations: GA, glycyrrhetinic acid; PI, propidium iodide.

Figure 10 Effect of 24 hours of treatment with curcumin on the cell cycle in HepG2 cells.

Notes: (A) Control, (B) curcumin suspension, (C) curcumin-loaded albumin nanoparticles, (D) curcumin-loaded albumin nanoparticles surface-functionalized with GA, and (E) GA + curcumin-loaded albumin nanoparticles surface-functionalized with GA.

Abbreviation: GA, glycyrrhetinic acid.