Biphasic Platforms for Curcumin Encapsulation in Mixed Polymeric Micelles Containing Triblock Amphiphilic Copolymers

• Grant number: 25/02118-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: April 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Biomedical Engineering - Bioengineering
• Principal Investigator: André Moreni Lopes
• Grantee: Isabelle Hayana Félix Silva
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de Lorena (EEL). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Lorena , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/13870-5 - Aqueous supramolecular structures consisting of amphiphilic copolymer blends and ionic liquids for the extraction and encapsulation of antitumor biomolecules., AP.R

Abstract

Curcumin (CCM) is a biomolecule with significant therapeutic potential, exhibiting anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antitumor properties. However, its low water solubility and rapid degradation limit its bioavailability and clinical efficacy. To overcome these challenges, nanobiotechnological encapsulation strategies are essential for enhancing its physicochemical and therapeutic properties. Encapsulation in polymeric micelles (PMs) has emerged as a promising approach to improve CCM's solubility and stability. Triblock amphiphilic copolymers, such as Pluronics®, are excellent candidates for this purpose due to their ability to self-assemble into PMs and their low critical micelle concentration (CMC), which ensures high stability even in diluted solutions. This project proposes the use of aqueous biphasic systems (ABS) containing blends of Pluronics [both "normal" (N) and "reverse" (R) variants] as a sustainable platform for CCM encapsulation. ABS are free of volatile organic solvents, making them environmentally friendly and offering advantages over traditional encapsulation methods. The combination of Pluronics aims to form mixed PMs capable of lowering the phase separation temperature (cloud point), enabling CCM encapsulation under mild temperature conditions, among other benefits.