Curcumin-loaded Dual Coated Chitosan-Silica Magnetite Nanoparticles for Targeted Drug Delivery: A Novel Approach for Improving Health Outcomes In Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Abstract

Targeted drug delivery systems can enhance treatment efficacy while reducing the adverse effects associated with conventional drug delivery. Many traditional methods suffer from poor bioavailability, rapid degradation, and limited targeting efficiency. We report the synthesis, characterization, and application of curcumin-loaded silica- and chitosan-coated magnetite nanoparticles as a low-cost drug delivery system. Both coated and uncoated nanoparticles were compared to evaluate drug release performance. Magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized using maize leaf extract, while chitosan was derived from crab shells via demineralization, deproteination, and deacetylation. Silica coating was applied using a sol-gel process to enhance nanoparticle stability and drug retention. The resulting dual-coated chitosan-silica-magnetite composites were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Drug loading and release studies were conducted to determine entrapment efficiency and release kinetics. The findings demonstrate that the 75 wt% formulation achieved the highest entrapment efficiency, with sustained drug release over 24 hours. This dual-coating system offers a promising strategy for curcumin delivery and could be adapted to support affordable cancer therapy, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where access to conventional treatments remains limited.