Poly(curcumin-co-poly(ethylene Glycol)) Films Provide Neuroprotection Following Reactive Oxygen Species Insult in Vitro

Abstract

Objective. Curcumin is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecule that may provide neuroprotection following central nervous system injury. However, curcumin is hydrophobic, limiting its ability to be loaded and then released from biomaterials for neural applications. We previously developed polymers containing curcumin, and these polymers may be applied to neuronal devices or to neural injury to promote neuroprotection. Thus, our objective was to evaluate two curcumin polymers as potential neuroprotective materials for neural applications. Approach. For each curcumin polymer, we created three polymer solutions by varying the weight percentage of curcumin polymer in solvent. These solutions were subsequently coated onto glass coverslips, and the thickness of the polymer was assessed using profilometry. Polymer degradation and dissolution was assessed using brightfield microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and gel permeation chromatography. The ability of the polymers to protect cortical neurons from free radical insult was assessed using an in vitro cortical culture model. Main results. The P50 curcumin polymer (containing greater poly(ethylene glycol) content than the P75 polymer), eroded readily in solution, with erosion dependent on the weight percentage of polymer in solvent. Unlike the P50 polymer, the P75 polymer did not undergo erosion. Since the P50 polymer underwent erosion, we expected that the P50 polymer would more readily protect cortical neurons from free radical insult. Unexpectedly, even though P75 films did not erode, P75 polymers protected neurons from free radical insult, suggesting that erosion is not necessary for these polymers to enable neuroprotection. Significance. This study is significant as it provides a framework to evaluate polymers for future neural applications. Additionally, we observed that some curcumin polymers do not require dissolution to enable neuroprotection. Future work will assess the ability of these materials to enable neuroprotection within in vivo models of neural injury.

Department(s)

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

Comments

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Grant I01RX003502-01A1

Keywords and Phrases

antioxidant; electrode coatings; neuroprotection; poly(pro-curcumin)

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1741-2552; 1741-2560

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2025 IOP Publishing, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Feb 2025

PubMed ID

39793199

Link to Full Text

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