Polymeric nanoparticles with a hydrophobic core that encapsulates curcumin and a hydrophilic shell with one or more chemotherapeutic agents (e.g., doxorubicin) associated with the shell surface are formed from N-isopropylacryl amide (NEPAAM), acrylic acid (AA), and at least one vinyl monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl acetate, 4-vinyl benzoic acid, methylmethacrylate, vinylmethacrylate, N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-vinyl piperidone, N-vinyl caprolacum, N-vinyl carbazole, and styrene, where the NIPAAM, the AA, and the vinyl monomer are present at molar ratios of 50-70:10-30:10-30 for NIPAAM:AA:vinyl monomer. These nanoparticles effectively overcome multidrug resistance and ameliorate cardiomyopathy in vivo.
