Enhanced apoptosis, survivin down-regulation and assisted immunochemotherapy by curcumin loaded amphiphilic mixed micelles for subjugating endometrial cancer

Abstract Survivin is up-regulated in 83% of endometrial cancer leading to resistance development. As endometrial tumor advances, it also elicits chronic inflammation characterized by increased cytokine secretion and immune cells infiltration. The present study was designed to engineer mixed micellar curcumin loaded formulation for investigating survivin down-regulation, its anti-cancer and cytokine modulatory potential against endometrial cancer Ishikawa cells. Flory–Huggins interaction parameter (χ pd ) was applied to predict the compatibility between curcumin and surfactant mixture. The developed and characterized formulations were used to comparatively assess hemolysis, cellular uptake, cell-viability, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential loss, rhodamine accumulation and bioavailability. In-vitro cytotoxicity in Vero cells demonstrated no deleterious effects on cell population. We saw better bioavailability, significant rhodamine accumulation, changes in protein expression and modulation in TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 levels. In conclusion, developed formulation warrants exploring the therapeutic interventions for overcoming resistance development in endometrial cancer.