A Magnetically Drivable Nanovehicle for Curcumin with Antioxidant Capacity and MRI Relaxation Properties. Issue 37 (30th July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Magro, Massimiliano; Campos, René; Baratella, Davide; Lima, Giuseppina; Holà, Katerina; Divoky, Clemens; Stollberger, Rudolf; Malina, Ondrej; Aparicio, Claudia; Zoppellaro, Giorgio; Zbořil, Radek; Vianello, Fabio
• Is Part Of: Chemistry. Volume 20:Issue 37(2014)
• Page Start: 11913
• Page End: 11920
• Publication Date: 2014-07-30
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.201402820
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0947-6539

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Curcumin possesses wide‐ranging anti‐inflammatory and anti‐cancer properties and its biological activity can be linked to its potent antioxidant capacity. Superparamagnetic maghemite (γ‐Fe₂O₃), called surface‐active maghemite nanoparticles (SAMNs) were surface‐modified with curcumin molecules, due to the presence of under‐coordinated Fe^III atoms on the nanoparticle surface. The so‐obtained curcumin‐modified SAMNs (SAMN@curcumin) had a mean size of 13±4 nm. SAMN@curcumin was characterized by transmission and scanning electron microscopy, UV/Vis, FTIR, and Mössbauer spectroscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction, bulk susceptibility (SQUID), and relaxometry measurements (MRI imaging). The high negative contrast proclivity of SAMN@curcumin to act as potential contrast agent in MRI screenings was also tested. Moreover, the redox properties of bound curcumin were probed by electrochemistry. SAMN@curcumin was studied in the presence of different electroactive molecules, namely hydroquinone, NADH and ferrocyanide, to assess its redox behavior. Finally, SAMN@curcumin was electrochemically probed in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, demonstrating the stability and reactivity of bound curcumin.</p> </abstract>