Discipline: Nanoscience
Subcategory: Cancer Research
Session: 2
Maia Bolden - Alabama State University
Co-Author(s): Aryn Chambliss, University of Austin at San Antonio, TX; Jana Lampe, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth,TX; Rohan Gupta, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth,TX; Amalendu Ranjan, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth,TX; Jamboor Vishwanatha, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth,TX
Our current work examines the feasibility of encapsulating curcumin, an anticancer drug, within poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles using nanoprecipitation solvent evaporation technique. The surface properties of nanoparticles were modified through adsorption of polycationic polymers (poly-L-lysine, PLL). This method can be used to prepare protective polymeric nanoparticles for transporting curcumin to the cytoplasmic compartment of cancer cells. Nanoparticles were formulated and then characterized using physical and biological parameters. The average nanoparticle size ranged from 170 to 225 nm with a low polydispersity index. The resulting zeta potential for anionic PLGA nanoparticle was −20mV and for cationic PLGA-PLL nanoparticles was 10 mV. We demonstrated successful synthesis of curcumin loaded nanoparticles. The effect of the negative and positive charges on a nanoparticles was evaluated with the amount of intracellular uptake. It was demonstrated that surface modification of nanoparticles with PLL enhances nanoparticle uptake in breast cancer cells.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): HBCU-STP Grant PC150726
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Amalendu Ranjan, amalendu.ranjan@unthsc.edu
Role: I synthesized the nanoparticles and characterized using dynamic light scattering and determined the cellular uptake of the cells.