Cross-linking of hyaluronic acid by curcumin analogue to construct nanomicelles for delivering anticancer drug

In this study, hyaluronic acid (HA) and curcumin (CCM) are used as functional molecular skeletons to prepare a reticular polymer HA-CCM* via the free radical polymerization reaction. The results showed that HA-CCM* formed nanomicelles through self-assembly in the aqueous medium. These nanomicelles were seen as star-shaped micelles and the particle diameter distribution range of 220–280 nm, which are used to carry doxorubicin (DOX) with a high drug loading and an entrapment efficiency. The experiment of drug release in vitro indicated that HA-CCM* micelles showed significant acid sensitivity. The anticancer activity of DOX-loaded by HA-CCM* micelles (HA-CCM* + DOX) was quantified by MTT assay , indicating that the cytotoxicity of HA-CCM* + DOX to human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) and human renal cell adenocarcinoma cell line (786-O) was significantly improved and to normal human renal epithelial cell line (293A) was obviously reduced. DOX from HA-CCM* + DOX micelles can enter into the cells and resulted in cell death. The multifunctional HA-CCM* micelles have good prospects in the field of drug delivery. Overall, these results confirmed the potential of these nanomicelles for carrying DOX in the improved cancer chemotherapy.