Supercritical carbon dioxide-developed silk fibroin nanoplatform for smart colon cancer therapy

摘要

Purpose: To deliver insoluble natural compounds into colon cancer cells in a controlled fashion. Materials and methods: Curcumin (CM)–silk fibroin (SF) nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by solution-enhanced dispersion by supercritical CO₂ (SEDS) (20 MPa pressure, 1:2 CM:SF ratio, 1% concentration), and their physicochemical properties, intracellular uptake efficiency, in vitro anticancer effect, toxicity, and mechanisms were evaluated and analyzed. Results: CM-SF NPs (0/G₁ and G₂/M phases in association with inducing apoptotic cells. Conclusion: The natural compound-loaded SF nanoplatform prepared by SEDS indicates promising colon cancer-therapy potential.