Curcumin loaded chitin-glucan quercetin conjugate: Synthesis, characterization, antioxidant, in vitro release study, and anticancer activity

In this study, we have synthesized chitin-glucan quercetin conjugate (ChGCQ) by an easy and facile free radical grafting reaction. The structure of ChGCQ was confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Curcumin was loaded into ChGCQ to study its anti-cancer efficiency. The biocompatibility of ChGCQ and curcumin loaded ChGCQ (Cu-ChGCQ) were analysed by different assays in Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and cytotoxicity test was performed in a macrophage cancer cell line (J774). The result shows tremendous biocompatibility of ChGCQ and Cu-ChGCQ in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and excellent cytotoxity in macrophage cancer cell line (J774). Chitin-glucan complex (ChGC), ChGCQ and Cu-ChGCQ showed 51%, 66% and 74% of DPPH radical-scavenging activity at 1 mg/ml respectively, which are much higher than that of ChGC and in ABTS*+ assay 58%, 71% and 83% show radical-scavenging activity at 1 mg/ml. Antioxidant assay of Cu-ChGCQ conjugate expressed much higher antioxidant activity than ChGCQ and ChGC. In vitro drug release study of Cu-ChGCQ conjuagate showed faster drug release in acidic medium in comparison to PBS of physiological pH and anticancer activity in vitro assay showed more anticancer activity of Cu-ChGCQ in comparison to ChGCQ conjugate.