Multifunctional mesoporous curcumin encapsulated iron-phenanthroline nanocluster: A new Anti-HIV agent

Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2019 Aug 1:180:289-297. doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2019.04.057. Epub 2019 Apr 28.

Abstract

A new strategy to encapsulating the drug curcumin into the hydrophobic core of the iron-phenanthroline nanocomplex (NIP) and eventually its release is signified. NIP was prepared via coordinate interaction between Fe2+ and the lone pairs present on the N atoms of the bidentate phenanthroline ligand (spherical morphology, diameter 18.8 nm, mesoporous with pore size 2.443 nm, amorphous). Thereafter, curcumin was successfully encapsulated (NCIP) in NIP, resulting in its enhanced stability (spherical morphology, diameter 46.8 nm). The nanocomplex NIP was used for drug delivery applications. We evaluated the anti-HIV effects of NCIP in vitro on cultures of HIV infected human microglia. The treatment of HIV-1 infected microglia with NCIP significantly decreased the expression of HIV-p24 by 41% and pro-inflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-8 and NO by 61.2%, 41% and 50.2%, respectively, compared to NIP. Flow cytometry data also support the decrease in TNF-α and IL-8 expression in case of NCIP. NCIP induced antioxidative effects by increasing the gene expression of catalase (CAT) and simulatenously decreasing hemeoxygenase-1 (HMOX-1) gene expression, thereby maintaining homeostasis which reduces neuroinflammation. These results support our premise that NCIP may be a significant adjuvant when used with traditional anti-retroviral regimens and may ameliorate HIV-1 associated neurotoxicity.

Keywords: Anti-retroviral; Curcumin; Mesoporous; Nanocluster; Sustained release behavior.

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Anti-HIV Agents / pharmacology*
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Curcumin / chemistry
  • Curcumin / pharmacology*
  • Drug Compounding*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Iron / chemistry*
  • Microglia / cytology
  • Microglia / drug effects
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Phenanthrolines / chemistry*
  • Porosity
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Biomarkers
  • Phenanthrolines
  • Iron
  • Curcumin