Curcumin nano-formulation: enhanced anti-cancer and anti-microbial properties

Summary

The project aims to design and develop curcumin nanoparticles using various fabrication approaches, including liposome-nanoparticle assemblies and polymer-coated nanoparticles. The in vitro anti-cancer and anti-microbial activities of such curcumin nanoparticles will be assessed. The project will develop curcumin nanoparticles that target cancer cells by immobilization antibodies onto the surface of nanoparticles.

Supervisor(s)

Dr Ramin Rohanizadeh

Research Location

Sydney Pharmacy School

Program Type

Masters/PHD

Synopsis

Curcumin, a polyphenol extract from plant and the active compound of the Indian spice turmeric, has a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer. However, its low water-solubility, therefore inadequate bioavailability, remains a major hurdle that limits its medical applications. My team is developing and characterizing mono-dispersed and non-aggregated curcumin nano-particles to increase curcumin's bioavailability and to promote its anti-cancer and anti-microbial effects. The results demonstrate that in a size-depending manner, nano-formulation of curcumin increases its skin penetration as well as its uptake rate into different cancer cell lines.

Additional Information

This is a joint project between Faculty of Pharmacy and Department of Physiology, University of Sydney) and School of Pharmacy, University of Technology, Sydney.

Keywords

Curcumin nanoparticles, Anti-cancer and Anti-microbial Nanoparticles, Liposome, Biomaterials, tissue engineering

Opportunity ID

The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is: 1720

Other opportunities with Dr Ramin Rohanizadeh

• An innovative synthesis technique to fabricate nano-sized calcium phosphate particles