Poly(β-cyclodextrin)/Curcumin Self-Assembly: A Novel Approach to Improve Curcumin Delivery and its Therapeutic Efficacy in Prostate Cancer Cells

A novel PCD/CUR self‐assembly approach for improved curcumin delivery to prostate cancer cells is described. The formation of PCD/CUR was confirmed using FTIR, DSC, TGA, and SEM/TEM, and their stability and solubility under physiological conditions was demonstrated. A mechanism for self‐assembly is proposed. Intracellular uptake of the self‐assemblies was studied by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence microscopy. The therapeutic efficacy was determined by cell proliferation and colony formation assays using C4‐2, DU145 and PC3 prostate cancer cells. The results suggest that the PCD/CUR formulation could be a useful system for improving curcumin delivery and its therapeutic efficacy in prostate cancer. A novel PCD/CUR self‐assembly through the inclusion complexation mechanism is described which improves curcumin delivery and enhances its therapeutic efficacy for prostate cancer treatment. The PCD30 formulation can be used for improving curcumin bioavailability and delivery in tumors.