Synthesis and loading of nanocurcumin on iron magnetic nanoparticles modified with chitosan

Curcuma longa generally known as turmeric includes curcuminoids and sesquiterpenoids as components, which are known to have antioxidative, anticarcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory activities. Iron, magnetite, and hematite as a micronutrient play an important role in physiological and chemical processes. Chitosan is a natural polymer derived from chitin and is recognized as versatile biomaterials because of their high biocompatibility, nontoxicity, and biodegradability to harmless products. The purpose of this research was to design synthesis and loading of nanocurcumin on iron magnetic nanoparticles modified with chitosan which is used as a targeted drug.

This laboratory research was conducted in Aja University of Medical Sciences from May to November 2017. Loading of nanocurcumin on iron magnetic nanoparticles modified with chitosan was done in two steps. In the first step, after preparing chitosan and iron magnetic nanoparticles, chitosan is placed as a coating polymer on surface of iron magnetic nanoparticles. In the next step, the final reaction is done by adding nanocurcumin on iron magnetic nanoparticles modified with chitosan. This causes nanocurcumin to penetrate into the polymeric layer core shell nanoparticles.

Findings of transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope images show structure, morphology, physicochemical and the presence of nanocurcumin layers on chitosan in nanoparticles with diameter of 20 nm well. In Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), the Fe-O peak indicates magnetic nanoparticles and peak of the O-H in nanocurcumin layers on chitosan. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy spectrum showing iron, carbon, oxygen and nitrogen peaks confirms the presence of these elements in the final composition and shows that chitosan and nanocurcumin groups are well dispersed on iron magnetic nanoparticles. The nanocurcumin loaded at 450 nm wavelength was evaluated by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry.

Results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscope image, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy spectrum, transmission electron microscope image, vibrating sample magnetometer analysis indicated that nanocurcumin has been successfully loaded on iron magnetic nanoparticles modified with chitosan and can be used as a targeted drug.