Silk fibroin nanoparticles for Celecoxib and Curcumin delivery: ROS-scavenging and anti-inflammatory activities in an in vitro model of osteoarthrit

This paper aims at demonstrating silk fibroin nanoparticles (SFNs) promote anti-inflammatory properties of
celecoxib (CXB) or curcumin (CUR), and could be exploited for osteoarthritis (OA) treatment. Nanoparticles
were prepared by desolvation method and physico-chemically characterized (FT-IR, DSC, TGA, SEM, size distribution
and drug release); empty and drug loaded nanoparticles were tested for their ROS-scavenging activity,
hemolytic properties, cytotoxicity, and anti-inflammatory potency in an OA in vitro model. Results indicate that a
controlled drug release has been achieved by varying the drug loading. Curcumin plus SFNs exhibited a synergistic
antioxidant effect, while CXB was, in some manner, inhibitory. Both free drugs resulted highly cytotoxic
while cell viability reached high values when encapsulated in SFNs. No appreciable differences in antiinflammatory
activity was evidenced between CUR loaded SFNs and CXB. In conclusion, SFNs is an optimal
carrier to improve cyto- and hemo-compatibility of both CUR and CXB.