Bioactivity and Cell Imaging of Antitumor Fluorescent Agents (Curcumin Derivatives) Coated by Two‐Way Embedded Cyclodextrin Strategy

Curcumin has a wide range of pharmacological activities, which can be used to treat tumors, inflammation and other diseases. However, curcumin's poor solubility and low bioavailability limit its application. In this article, the structure of curcumin was modified with boron trifluoride ether to change fluorescent labeling. The compounds were then embedded into the hydrophobic cavity of α‐cyclodextrin and hydroxypropyl β‐cyclodextrin to form inclusion complexes. The two inclusion complexes have excellent photophysical properties, and the maximum emission wavelength is in the range of 550–565 nm. In addition, the two compounds were applied to the fluorescence imaging of HCT‐116 cells and HeLa cells, and the proliferation toxicity of the compounds was detected. Both compounds showed certain inhibitory effects on the proliferation of cancer cells. In short, the fluorescent drug molecule synthesized in this article has great reference value for the development of new dosage forms of curcumin.