Polyethylenimine-graft-poly (maleic anhydride-alt-1-octadecene) coated Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles: promising targeted pH-sensitive system for curcumin delivery and MR imaging

Abstract

A theranostic amphiphilic nanocarrier based on iron oxide core with polyethyleneimine and poly(maleic anhydride-alt-1-octadecene) shell was synthesized, labeled with folic acid and loaded with Curcumin. Fe₃O₄@PIMF nanoparticles displayed a size of 20–30 nm with a shell thickness of 2–5 nm. Fe₃O₄@PIMF-CUR MNPs exhibited pH-responsive release behavior matched with Michaelis–Menten model. The MNPs showed more toxicity than free CUR against MCF-7 and Hela cells, while the drug-free carrier was safe against both cell lines. Hemolytic activity less than 1.5% in concentrations of <500 µg/mL indicated excellent blood compatibility. Appropriate negative signal enhancement in MRI confirmed the efficiency of the system for cancer theranostics.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Amphiphilic polymer
• curcumin
• magnetic nanoparticles
• MRI
• polyethyleneimine
• targeted drug delivery
• theranostic system

Disclosure statement

The authors of this manuscript do not have any financial conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a grant from National Institute for Medical Research Development (NIMAD, grant number: 982891).