Abstract
The upsurge of cancer demands intense, rapid and effective intervention from the
scientific society. Even though nanoparticles helped achieving this, maintaining
its size without using toxic capping agents is challenging. Phytochemicals
having reducing properties is a proper substitute and the efficiency of such
nanoparticles could be further improved by grafting with suitable monomers. It
could be further protected from rapid biodegradation by coating with suitable
materials. This approach was utilized wherein, the green synthesized silver
nanoparticles (AgNps) were initially functionalized with –COOH to couple
with –NH2 groups of ethylene diamine. It was then coated with
polyethylene glycol (PEG) and hydrogen bonded with curcumin. The formed amide
bonds could effectively uptake drug molecules and sensed environmental pH.
Swelling studies and release profiles confirmed selective drug release. All
these results along with those obtained from MTT assay, suggested the potential
applicability of the prepared material in pH sensitive drug delivery of
curcumin.
Key words
Chemotherapy - Curcumin - pH Sensitive Drug Delivery - Silver Nanoparticle