Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Amphiphilic Peptide and its Application in the Development of Niosomal Formulation as a Drug Delivery Carrier for Curcumin

The efficacy of curcumin (CR) against different types of cancers is significantly impeded by its non-specificity, low aqueous solubility, and high metabolism. In this study, novel amphiphilic peptide (AMP) was synthesized and their potential to carry CR into cancer cells via niosomal vesicles was examined. The synthesized AMP was characterized using several techniques such as FAB-MS, HRFAB-MS, 1H-, and 13C-NMR spectroscopy, which was then used to produce niosomal vesicles. CR loaded AMP niosomal vesicles (CR-AMP-Vesicles) were also characterized in terms of size, zeta potential, PDI, and surface morphology. CR-AMP-Vesicles exhibited smaller size of about 387.7 ±1.76 nm with 77 ± 2.10% CR encapsulation and a regulated drug release profile. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of produced vesicles on human normal fibroblast 3T3 cells was studied and found to be non-cytotoxic. When tested on a chronic myeloid leukemia cell line, CR-AMP-Vesicles and CR showed 51% and 54% inhibition, respectively with the IC50 of 25 µM.  Hence, it is concluded that the newly developed novel CR-AMP-Vesicles have the potential to substantially reduce the cytotoxicity of bioactive compounds against normal cells.

Keywords: Curcumin, Niosomes, Amphiphilic Peptide, Anticancer activity, Cytotoxicity