Self-assembled surfactant-based nanoparticles as a platform for solubilization and enhancement of the photothermal activity of sepia melanin

Abstract Background Sepia melanin (SM) is a natural photothermal biopolymer. Its biomedical applications are limited due to its poor solubility and bioavailability. This study aims prepare soluble formulation of sepia enhance solubility, in turn, bioavailability, use therapy cancer. SM was extracted from ink sac prepared as insoluble powdered which identified by FTIR, 1 H-NMR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscope. self-assembled using tween 80 into dispersed nanoparticles (SM-NP-Tw). The SM-NP-Tw were fully characterized. performance assessed. Dark photocytotoxicity studied on HepG2 cells two wavelengths (660 nm 820 nm). Results exhibited spherical nanoparticle-like shape revealed microscope only an alkaline aqueous solution. TGA showed high resistance thermal degradation indicating good stability. with mean sizes 308 ± 86 zeta potential − 25 mv. cell viability decreased significantly upon increasing the concentration radiation at nm. results UV–Vis spectroscopy that can absorb light wide range including near IR region; thus, it emit sufficient heat kill through photoheat conversion effects. Conclusion tween-based nanostructures could be promising platform for cancer therapy.