Photoenhanced gene transfection by a curcumin loaded CS-g-PZLL micelle

•Curcumin loaded cationic micellar nanoparticles based on PZLL and chitosan (CS-g-PZLL) were prepared.•Curcumin loaded CS-g-PZLL showed controlled and sustained in vitro release.•CS-g-PZLL could codeliver p53 and curcumin to HeLa cells and showed a better inhibition effect.•Curcumin could be used as a photosensitizer to induce a photoenhanced genetransfection.

The codelivery of drug and gene is a promising method for cancer treatment. In our previous works, we prepared a cationic micelles based on chitosan and poly-(N-3-carbobenzyloxylysine) (CS-g-PZLL), but transfection ratio of CS-g-PZLL to Hela cell was low. Herein, to improve the transfection efficiency of CS-g-PZLL, curcumin was loaded in the CS-g-PZLL micelle. After irradiation, the obtained curcumin loaded micelle showed a better transfection, and the p53 protein expression in Hela cells was higher. The apoptosis assay showed that the complex could induce a more significant apoptosis to Hela cells than that of curcumin or p53 used alone, and the curcumin loaded micelle inducing apoptosis was best after irradiation. Therefore, CS-g-PZLL is a safe and effective carrier for the codelivery of drug/gene, and curcumin could be used as a photosensitizer to induce a photoenhanced gene transfection, which should be encouraged in improving transfection and tumor therapy.