Alginate–Functionalized Fe3O4 Nanoparticles as a Drug Delivery System for Targeted Controlled Release

The application of Fe3O4@Alg NPs for drug delivery still has various limitations. In this study, successful synthesis of Fe3O4@Alg was achieved using a co-precipitation method for the delivery of Curcumin in both oral and injectable routes. Fe3O4@Alg NPs were synthesized under optimized conditions with a high saturation magnetization value and negligible remnant magnetization. Curcumin was efficiently integrated into the system through adsorption, achieving a drug trapping efficiency of 71% over 12 h using Fe3O4@Alg nanostructures with an average size ranging of 100-200 nm, with negligible hemolytic effects at up to 20 mg.mL-1. Fe3O4@Alg nanostructures significantly enhanced the drug's solubility by 1.2 times. Adsorption isotherm and kinetic studies showed that the drug adsorption process exhibited a high adsorption capacity of 5.981 mg.g-1 with monolayer of Curcumin physically adsorbed onto the nanoparticles surface and happened rapidly with low slope coefficient. A notable feature of the material is its ability to protect Curcumin from the acidic gastric environment and sustainably release it under simulated physiological and intestinal conditions, with release percentages of 93.48% and ~100%, respectively, followed by the transformation of Curcumin in the intestinal and physiological environments. In summary, this study demonstrated the significant potential of Fe3O4@Alg NPs in enhancing the bioavailability of Curcumin for effective drug delivery. These nanoparticles can be further explored as a promising distribution system for both oral and injectable administration.