Abstract: In this study, cyclodextrin-functionalized curcumin-loaded silver nanoparticles (Ag@β-CD@Cur) were prepared with silver nanomaterials and its anticancer activity was also studied. The surface morphology, particle size and stability of Ag@β-CD@Cur were detected by transmission electronic microscopy and Zetasizer Nano. Moreover, the effect of Ag@β-CD@Cur on morphological and viability changes of HepG2 cells were detected by phase-contrast microscopy and (3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay. Moreover, the population of apoptotic cells was detected by flow cytometric analysis. The experimental results showed that Ag@β-CD@Cur was obtained as highly pure, uniformly sized silver nanoparticles with a smooth surface. The average size of Ag@β-CD@Cur was 2 nm. Moreover, Ag@β-CD@Cur had good stability in water for 30 days. After treatment of HepG2 cells with Ag@β-CD@Cur for 24 h, apoptosis characteristics appeared such as cell swelling and cell nuclei pyknosis. At the same time, the cell viability reduced to 24% of the control group. Further flow cytometric analysis showed that the population of apoptotic cells increased from 2.5% (control) to 51.0%. The results demonstrated that after nanoparticlization, curcumin has stronger anticancer activity, which will provide a technical means and theoretical data for curcumin nano-formulation.

Key words: curcumin, β-cyclodextrin, silver nanoparticles, preparation, anticancer activity