In vitro evaluation of anti-melanoma activity of curcumin-loaded dextran stearate micelles against B16F10 cells

Background and purpose: Malignant melanoma presents significant therapeutic challenges. Curcumin, a natural anticancer compound, is limited due to low bioavailability. This study synthesized and evaluated amphiphilic dextran stearate (Dex-SA) micelles as a nanocarrier to enhance the efficacy of curcumin against melanoma. Experimental approach: We synthesized the Dex-SA copolymer via Steglich esterification and characterized it by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Curcumin-loaded micelles (Cur-Dex-SA) were prepared using dialysis and subsequently assessed for their physicochemical properties, morphology, and drug release characteristics. In vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated against B16F10 melanoma and NIH3T3 fibroblast cells via MTT assay. Cellular uptake and mechanisms involving reactive oxygen species (ROS) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were investigated. Findings/Results: FTIR confirmed Dex-SA synthesis. Cur-Dex-SA micelles were spherical, with a particle size of 230 ± 12 nm, polydispersity index of 0.3 ± 0.06, zeta potential of -10 ± 0.9 mV, and encapsulation efficiency of 83.23 ± 3%. They showed prolonged drug release and enhanced uptake in B16F10 cells. Cur-Dex-SA showed higher cytotoxicity against melanoma cells (IC 50 : 19.66 μM) than free curcumin (IC 50 : 44.66 μM at 48 h), with lower fibroblast toxicity, which correlated with elevated ROS and reduced TAC. Conclusion and implications: Cur-Dex-SA micelles enhance curcumin’s solubility, uptake, and selective cytotoxicity against melanoma via ROS-mediated pathways, a promising in vitro delivery platform with potential for further preclinical evaluation.