‘Poly(ethylene glycol)-magnetic nanoparticles-curcumin’ trio: Directed morphogenesis and synergistic free-radical scavenging

Research on curcumin (polyphenol derived from the rhizome of herb Curcuma longa) has occupied a unique niche owing to its distinctive properties, unique molecular architecture and multi-potent efficacies, particularly in the bio-medical domain with recent interest in material science. In the present study, conjugation of curcumin onto biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol) – templated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNP) (2–5 nm), prepared through a simple wet chemical route is reported along with modulation of the activity of the partners. Statistical optimization, using response surface methodology, of sonication parameters (8 min, 0.4 cycle and 60% amplitude) for maximal curcumin loading (86%), has shown major morphology directing effect generating triads, tetrads, amongst others and chain-like arrangement (TEM imaging) of the bio-conjugated nanoparticles (80–90 nm). Intonation of the magnetometric parameters of the PEG assisted MNPs on bioconjugation was also evident. The synergistic potency of the partners, the polymer templated iron oxide nanoparticles and curcumin, was unmasked during scavenging of diphenyl picryl hydrazyl (DPPH). The system represents an architecturally appealing, magnetically responsive bio-conjugated system possessing synergistic participation of the partners, with prospective applications in medical domain.