Curcumin and Graphene Oxide Incorporated into Alginate Hydrogels as Versatile Devices for the Local Treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Lorenzo Francesco Madeo - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • Patrizia Sarogni - , National Research Council of Italy (CNR) (Author)
  • Giuseppe Cirillo - , University of Calabria (Author)
  • Orazio Vittorio - , University of New South Wales (Author)
  • Valerio Voliani - , National Research Council of Italy (CNR) (Author)
  • Manuela Curcio - , University of Calabria (Author)
  • Tyler Shai-Hee - , University of New South Wales (Author)
  • Bernd Büchner - , Chair of Experimental Solid State Physics, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • Michael Mertig - , Chair of Physical Chemistry / Measurement and Sensor Technology, Kurt Schwabe Institut Meinsberg (Author)
  • Silke Hampel - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)

Abstract

With the aim of preparing hybrid hydrogels suitable for use as patches for the local treatment of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)-affected areas, curcumin (CUR) was loaded onto graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets, which were then blended into an alginate hydrogel that was crosslinked by means of calcium ions. The homogeneous incorporation of GO within the polymer network, which was confirmed through morphological investigations, improved the stability of the hybrid system compared to blank hydrogels. The weight loss in the 100–170C temperature range was reduced from 30% to 20%, and the degradation of alginate chains shifted to higher temperatures. Moreover, GO enhanced the stability in water media by counteracting the de-crosslinking process of the polymer network. Cell viability assays showed that the loading of CUR (2.5% and 5% by weight) was able to reduce the intrinsic toxicity of GO towards healthy cells, while higher amounts were ineffective due to the antioxidant/prooxidant paradox. Interestingly, the CUR-loaded systems were found to possess a strong cytotoxic effect in SCC cancer cells, and the sustained CUR release (~50% after 96 h) allowed long-term anticancer efficiency to be hypothesized.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number1648
JournalMaterials
Volume2022
Issue number15(5)
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Alginate hydrogels, Curcumin, Graphene oxide, Hybrid hydrogels, Ionic crosslinking, Squamous cell carcinoma

Library keywords