Fabrication, characterization and potential application of polydopamine-modified magnetic Fe₃O₄ based on targeted drug delivery of curcumin

Cancer, the world’s second leading killer, has increasing crude incidence rates and faces multiple prevention/control challenges. Curcumin (Cur) has anticancer activity but low bioavailability, restricting its use in cancer therapy. A nanomaterial (Fe₃O₄/PDA@Cur) for targeted curcumin delivery is developed in this work, which has a magnetic Fe 3 O 4 core made by solvothermal synthesis and a polydopamine (PDA) shell made by one-pot synthesis. Results show that drug loading rate reached 40.3 % when the mass ratio of Fe₃O₄/PDA: Cur was 1:3. The hemolysis rate was measured to be 1.24 % in the hemocompatibility test. The complex exhibited good antibacterial efficacy against both Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus , MIC 250.0 μg/mL and MBC 500.0 μg/mL), Escherichia coli ( E. coli , MIC 625.0 μg/mL and MBC 1250.0 μg/mL), which was attributed to the properties of the incorporated PDA. The material has good blood compatibility and antibacterial effects, and it effectively prevents secondary infection at the tumor site and red-blood-cell lysis. Notably, at pH 5.0, drug release reached 75.5 % via pH-responsive mechanisms which tumor microenvironment (pH 5.0–6.5), drug release is accelerated in these regions, enabling targeted therapy that minimizes toxicity to normal cells and systemic side effects, thereby enhancing treatment safety. This complex, which possesses both drug delivery and antibacterial properties, holds significant clinical importance for preventing opportunistic infections during tumor treatment.