Curcumin, a golden spice with a low bioavailability

Development of a new micellar formulation of carvedilol and curcumin to enhance blood pressure reduction in a spontaneously hypertensive rat model

Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, requiring innovative therapeutic strategies. This project explores a nano-pharmaceutical approach to enhance the efficacy of cardiovascular drugs, focusing on carvedilol and curcumin. These agents, known for their potential cardiovascular benefits, are encapsulated within Soluplus® micelles to form a novel drug delivery system. The novelty of this formulation lies in its ability to significantly improve the solubility of both carvedilol and curcumin, which have traditionally been limited by their hydrophobic nature. By utilizing Soluplus® micelles, we have developed a unique delivery system that optimizes the therapeutic potential of both drugs. The nanomicelles were meticulously characterized for drug loading, size distribution, and morphological features. The carvedilol and curcumin release patterns were investigated, revealing sustained and controlled release profiles. Additionally, the antioxidant capacity of the micellar formulation was evaluated, demonstrating the preservation of curcumin's antioxidative properties. In vivo studies using spontaneously hypertensive male rats explored the pharmacokinetics and hemodynamic effects of the nanomicellar system. These results indicated successful encapsulation of both drugs without altering their plasma profiles. Furthermore, the administration of carvedilol and curcumin micelles exhibited a more significant reduction in mean arterial pressure compared to individual drug administration, suggesting a potential synergistic effect. In conclusion, this nano-pharmaceutical approach offers a promising avenue for cardiovascular therapy, providing a platform for combined drug delivery and potential synergistic effects. The optimized formulation could lead to improved patient outcomes and enhanced cardiovascular health.

Charge-converting nanocarriers: Phosphorylated polysaccharide coatings for overcoming intestinal barriers

For the design of charge-converting nanocarriers (NCs), cationic lipid-based NCs containing curcumin as model drug were coated with phosphorylated starch (NC-SP) and phosphorylated dextran (NC-DP). NCs showed a drug encapsulation efficiency of 94 % and had a mean size of 175 to 180 nm. The recorded zeta potential of the core NC (cNC) was +8.3 mV, whereas it reversed to -10.6 mV and -7.4 mV after decorating with SP and DP, respectively. Furthermore, a 3-fold higher amount of curcumin having been incorporated in these NCs remained stable within 2 h of UV exposure indicating a photoprotective effect of this delivery system. Charge-converting properties were confirmed by cleavage with intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) and resulted in a zeta potential shift of Δ15.4 mV for NC-SP and Δ11.2 mV for NC-DP. NC-SP and NC-DP showed enhanced mucus permeating properties compared to cNC, that were additionally confirmed by an up to 2.2-fold improved cellular uptake on mucus secreting Caco-2/HT29-MTX cells. According to these results, NC-SP and NC-DP coatings hold promise as a viable and efficient strategy for charge-converting NCs.

Exosomal Delivery Enhances the Antiproliferative Effects of Acid-Hydrolyzed Apiaceae Spice Extracts in Breast Cancer Cells

Breast cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide. The Apiaceae plant family includes many culinary spices that have been shown to have medicinal properties. Many phytochemicals exhibit potent bioactivities but often suffer from poor uptake and oral bioavailability. Bovine milk and colostrum exosomes are a compelling drug delivery platform that could address this issue; these natural nanoparticles can be loaded with hydrophilic and lipophilic small molecules and biologics, resulting in lower doses needed to inhibit cancer growth. Ethanolic extracts of eight Apiaceae spices were examined for phytochemical content and antiproliferative potential. Acid hydrolysis (AH) was employed to remove glycosides, asses its impacts on extract efficacy, and evaluate its effects on exosome loading and subsequent formulation efficacy. Antiproliferative activity was assessed through MTT assays on T-47D, MDA-MB-231, and BT-474 breast cancer cells; all extracts exhibited broad antiproliferative activity. AH enhanced the bioactivity of cumin, caraway, and fennel in T-47D cells. Celery, cumin, anise, and ajwain showed the highest activity and were assayed in exosomal formulations, which resulted in reduced doses required to inhibit cellular proliferation for all extracts except AH-cumin. Apiaceae spice extracts demonstrated antiproliferative activities that can be improved with AH and further enhanced with exosomal delivery.

Curcumin-loaded food-grade nano-silica hybrid material exhibiting improved photodynamic effect and its application for the preservation of small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis)

Two types of curcumin-loaded food-grade nano-silica (F-SiO2) hybrid materials were successfully synthesized using the rotary evaporation method (F-SiO2@Cur) and the adsorption method (Cur@F-SiO2). The microstructure and spectral analyses confirmed that the curcumin in F-SiO2@Cur was loaded within the nanopores in a non-aggregate form rather than being adsorbed onto the surface (Cur@F-SiO2). Additionally, F-SiO2@Cur exhibited remarkable water solubility (1510 ± 50.33 µg/mL) and photostability (a photodegradation ratio of only 59.22 %). Importantly, F-SiO2@Cur obtained a higher capacity for the generation of singlet oxygen (1O2) compared to control groups. Consequently, F-SiO2@Cur-mediated photodynamic inactivation (PDI) group attained the highest score in sensory evaluation and the best color protection effect in PDI experiment of small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) at 4 °C. Moreover, F-SiO2@Cur could effectively controlled total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) content, pH, and total viable count (TVC), thereby prolonging the shelf life. Therefore, F-SiO2@Cur-mediated PDI is an effective fresh-keeping technology for aquatic products.

Gut-Brain Axis in Focus: Polyphenols, Microbiota, and Their Influence on α-Synuclein in Parkinson's Disease

With the recognition of the importance of the gut-brain axis in Parkinson's disease (PD) etiology, there is increased interest in developing therapeutic strategies that target α-synuclein, the hallmark abhorrent protein of PD pathogenesis, which may originate in the gut. Research has demonstrated that inhibiting the aggregation, oligomerization, and fibrillation of α-synuclein are key strategies for disease modification. Polyphenols, which are rich in fruits and vegetables, are drawing attention for their potential role in this context. In this paper, we reviewed how polyphenols influence the composition and functional capabilities of the gut microbiota and how the resulting microbial metabolites of polyphenols may potentially enhance the modulation of α-synuclein aggregation. Understanding the interaction between polyphenols and gut microbiota and identifying which specific microbes may enhance the efficacy of polyphenols is crucial for developing therapeutic strategies and precision nutrition based on the microbiome.

Curcumin and its nano-formulations combined with exercise: From molecular mechanisms to clinic

Curcumin is a strong substance derived from turmeric, a popular spice, renowned for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory abilities. The study delved deeply into a thorough examination of various sources to evaluate the impact of both regular curcumin and nano-formulated curcumin on elements that impact physical performance, including muscular strain, discomfort, swelling, and oxidative tension. While engaging in exercise, the body experiences a rise in reactive oxygen species and inflammation. As a result, it is important to ensure a proper balance between internal and external sources of antioxidants to maintain stability in the skeletal muscle. Without this balance, there is a risk of muscle soreness, damage, and ultimately, a decline in exercise performance. Curcumin possesses the ability to enhance physical performance and reduce the symptoms of muscle fatigue and injury by virtue of its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Including curcumin supplements appears to have advantageous effects on various aspects of exercise, such as enhancing performance, assisting with recovery, lessening muscle damage and discomfort, and lowering levels of inflammation and oxidative stress. However, a thorough assessment is necessary to precisely gauge the healing advantages of curcumin in enhancing exercise ability and reducing recovery time.

Unraveling the protective effects of curcumin against drugs of abuse

Curcumin, a natural compound derived from the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa), has garnered significant attention for its diverse neuroprotective properties. Curcumin has been widely recognized for its remarkable anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects, which have shown great potential in the treatment of various disorders, encompassing psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we delve into the protective effects of curcumin against drugs of abuse, including morphine, methamphetamine, cocaine, nicotine, and alcohol, with a particular focus on the underlying mechanisms from a neuroscience perspective. Overall, curcumin demonstrates promising effects against the neurotoxicity induced by abused drugs through a wide range of mechanisms. These include the modulation of inflammatory cytokines, maintenance of ion homeostasis, epigenetic regulation, enhancement of antioxidant capacity, as well as the activation of the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling pathways. These findings suggest that curcumin emerges as a promising therapeutic agent in combatting the detrimental effects induced by drugs of abuse, and further research is warranted to fully comprehend the molecular pathways and optimize its utilization for the prevention and treatment of substance abuse-related neurotoxicity.

Efficacy of topical curcumin on mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVES

Recently, there has been a renewed interest in traditional medicine for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Curcumin has been reported as an agent with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and neuroprotective attributes. This study is one of the first investigations to assess the effect of curcumin gel on CTS.

METHODS

This study is a prospective, 8-week, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial. A total of 70 patients with CTS were analyzed. The intervention group (n = 35) received a topical curcumin gel and a night wrist splint and the control group (n = 35) received a placebo gel and a night wrist splint for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was the assessment of the symptom severity scale (SSS) and functional status scale (FSS) of the participants using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) after 8 weeks. In addition, all participants were evaluated by electrodiagnostic (EDX) test at baseline and after 8 weeks.

RESULTS

The mean scores of SSS demonstrated a significant decrease in the curcumin group compared to the placebo group; P-value= 0.021. The mean change score of SSS after the intervention was 12.45 ± 8.18 in curcumin and 3.28 ± 7.06 in the placebo group; P-value = 0.0001 and the mean change score of FSS were 6.24 ± 4.91 and 2.31 ± 4.95 in curcumin and placebo groups, respectively; P-value = 0.002. However, the EDX study showed no significant changes in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

It seems that curcumin gel could be effective in the improvement of the symptom severity and daily activity of patients with CTS.

The Antitumoral Effect In Ovo of a New Inclusion Complex from Dimethoxycurcumin with Magnesium and Beta-Cyclodextrin

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the female population because of the resistance of cancer cells to many anticancer drugs used. Curcumin has cytotoxic activities against breast cancer cells, although it has limited use due to its poor bioavailability and rapid metabolic elimination. The synthesis of metal complexes of curcumin and curcuminoids is a relevant topic in the search for more active and selective derivatives of these molecular scaffolds. However, solubility and bioavailability are concomitant disadvantages of these types of molecules. To overcome such drawbacks, the preparation of inclusion complexes offers a chemical and pharmacologically safe option for improving the aqueous solubility of organic molecules. Herein, we describe the preparation of the inclusion complex of dimethoxycurcumin magnesium complex (DiMeOC-Mg, (4)) with beta-cyclodextrin (DiMeOC-Mg-BCD, (5)) in the stoichiometric relationship 1:1. This new inclusion complex's solubility in aqueous media phosphate buffer saline (PBS) was improved by a factor of 6x over the free metal complex (4). Furthermore, 5 affects cell metabolic rate, cell morphology, cell migration, induced apoptosis, and downregulation of the matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) expression levels on MD Anderson metastasis breast-231 cancer (MDA-MB-231) cell lines. Results of an antitumor assay in an in ovo model showed up to 30% inhibition of tumor growth for breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) when using (5) (0.650 mg/kg dose) and 17.29% inhibition with the free homoleptic metal complex (1.5 mg/kg dose, (4)). While the formulation of inclusion complexes from metal complexes of curcuminoids demonstrates its usefulness in improving the solubility and bioavailability of these metallodrugs, the new compound (5) exhibits excellent potential for use as a therapeutic agent in the battle against breast cancer.

Effect of Curcuma longa extract on reproduction function in mice and testosterone production in Leydig cells

Curcuma longa, best known for its culinary application as the main constituent of curry powder, has shown potential impact on the reproductive system. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Curcuma longa extract (CLE) on Kidney-Yang deficiency mice induced by hydrocortisone and the possible roles in testosterone secretion in Leydig cells. We evaluated male sexual behaviour, reproductive organ weight, testosterone levels, and histological tissue changes in hydrocortisone-induced mice. CLE effectively reversed hydrocortisone-induced Kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome by improving sexual behaviour, testis and epididymis weight, testosterone levels and reducing pathological damage. Our in vitro study further indicated that CLE stimulated testosterone production via upregulating the mRNA and protein expression of steroidogenic enzymes in Leydig cells. It significantly improved H89-inhibited protein expression of StAR and cAMP-response element-binding (CREB), as well as melatonin-suppressed StAR protein expression. The data obtained from this study suggest that CLE could alleviate Kidney-Yang deficiency symptoms and stimulate testosterone production by upregulating the steroidogenic pathway. This research identifies CLE as a potential nutraceutical option for addressing testosterone deficiency diseases.

Genus Curcuma: chemical and ethnopharmacological role in aging process

Aging or senescence is part of human life development with many effects on the physical, mental, and physiological aspects which may lead to age-related deterioration in many organs. Genus Curcuma family Zingieraceae represents one of the well-studied and medically important genera with more than eighty species. The genus is reported to contain different classes of biologically active compounds that are mainly presented in diphenylheptanoids, diphenylpentanoids, diphenylalkanoids, phenylpropene derivatives, alkaloids, flavonoids, chromones, terpenoids, phenolic acids and volatile constituents. Rhizomes and roots of such species are rich with main phytoconstituents viz. curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bis-demethoxycurcumin. A wide variety of biological activities were demonstrated for different extracts and essential oils of genus Curcuma members including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic and neuroprotective. Thus, making them as an excellent safe source for nutraceutical products and as a continuous promising area of research on lead compounds that may help in the slowing down of the aging process especially the neurologic and mental deterioration that are usually experienced upon aging. In this review different species of the genus Curcuma were summarized with their phytochemical and biological activities highlighting their role as antiaging agents. The data were collected from different search engines viz. Pubmed®, Google Scholar®, Scopus® and Web of Science® limiting the search to the period between 2003 up till now.

Disruptive Effects of Two Curcuminoids (Demethoxycurcumin and Bisdemethoxycurcumin) on the Larval Development of Drosophila melanogaster

Juvenile hormones (JHs) play a central role in insect development, reproduction, and various physiological functions. Curcuminoids generally exhibit a wide range of biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and insecticidal, and they exhibit insect growth inhibitory effects. However, research on insecticidal properties of curcuminoids has been limited. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, studies on JHs of insects and curcuminoids are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the substances that act as JH disruptors (JHDs) from edible plants. Demethoxycurcumin (DMC) and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC), two curcuminoids from the turmeric plant Curcuma longa L. inhibited the formation of a methoprene-tolerant (Met)-Taiman (Tai) heterodimer complex in Drosophila melanogaster, as shown through in vitro yeast two-hybrid assays. An artificial diet containing 1% (w/v) DMC or BDMC significantly reduced the number of D. melanogaster larvae in a concentration-dependent manner; larval development was disrupted, preventing the progression of larvae to pupal stages, resulting in an absence of adults. Building on the results obtained in this study on curcuminoids, researchers can use our study as a reference to develop eco-friendly pesticides.

The effects of curcumin-piperine supplementation on inflammatory, oxidative stress and metabolic indices in patients with ischemic stroke in the rehabilitation phase: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Stroke is a leading cause of death worldwide, which is associated with a heavy economic and social burden. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementation with curcumin-piperine combination in patients with ischemic stroke in the rehabilitation stage.

METHODS

In this randomized controlled trial, 66 patients with stroke were randomized into two groups receiving curcumin-piperine tablets (500 mg curcumin + 5 mg piperine) and matched placebo tablets for 12 weeks. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), thrombosis, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lipid profile, anthropometric indices, blood pressure, and quality of life were assessed before and after the intervention. Statistical data analysis was done using SPSS22 software.

RESULTS

A total of 56 patients with a mean age of 59.80 ± 4.25 years completed the trial. Based on ANCOVA test, adjusted for baseline values, curcumin-piperine supplementation for 12 weeks resulted in significant reductions in serum levels of hs-CRP (p = 0.026), total cholesterol (TC) (p = 0.009), triglycerides (TG) (p = 0.001), CIMT (p = 0.002), weight (P = 0.001), waist circumference (p = 0.024), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), and a significant increase in TAC (p < 0.001) in comparison to the placebo. Pain score significantly increased in both groups; however, its increase was significantly higher in the placebo group compared with the intervention group (p = 0.007). No significant changes were observed between the two groups in terms of serum fibrinogen, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and quality of life indices.

CONCLUSION

Curcumin-piperine supplementation had beneficial effects on CIMT, serum hs-CRP, TC, TG, TAC, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with ischemic stroke in the rehabilitation stage.

Cyclodextrin-based metal-organic framework materials: Classifications, synthesis strategies and applications in variegated delivery systems

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are coordination compounds that possess an adjustable structure and controllable function. Despite their wide applications in various industries, the use of MOFs in the fields of food and biomedicine is limited mainly due to their potential biological toxicity. Researchers have thus focused on developing biocompatible MOFs to address this issue. Among them, cyclodextrin-based metal-organic frameworks (CD-MOFs) have emerged as a promising alternative. CD-MOFs are novel MOFs synthesized using naturally carbohydrate cyclodextrin and alkali metal cations, and possess renewable, non-toxic, and edible characteristics. Due to their high specific surface area, controllable porosity, great biocompatibility, CD-MOFs have been widely used in various delivery systems, such as encapsulation of nutraceuticals, flavors, and antibacterial agents. Although the field of CD-MOF materials is still in its early stages, they provide a promising direction for the development of MOF materials in the delivery field. This review describes classification and structural characteristics, followed by an introduction to formation mechanism and commonly used synthetic methods for CD-MOFs. Additionally, we discuss the status of the application of various delivery systems based on CD-MOFs. Finally, we address the challenges and prospects of CD-MOF materials, with the aim of providing new insights and ideas for their future development.

Konjac glucomannan-assisted curcumin alleviated dextran sulfate sodium-induced mice colitis via regulating immune response and maintaining intestinal barrier integrity

Curcumin has been proven to be an effective strategy for reducing inflammatory responses. However, low bioavailability and instability at the physiological pH have limited its anti-inflammatory activity in ulcerative colitis patients. In the present study, a complex of curcumin and konjac glucomannan (KGM) effectively inhibited intestinal inflammation and this effect was associated with KGM degradation degrees. Results demonstrated that treatment with the complex markedly mitigated colitis symptoms and decreased inflammatory cytokines levels, especially in the complex treatment groups with K110 (KGM treated in 110 °C) and konjac oligosaccharides (KOSs). Furthermore, increasing the KOS content in KOC (the complex of curcumin and KOS) promoted the gene expressions of the intestinal barrier and inhibited the gene expressions of inflammatory cytokines, as well as improved gut microbiota dysregulation. Overall, our studies suggest that the complex of curcumin and KGM exerts effective anti-inflammatory effects by regulating the intestinal immune response and modulating microbiota diversity and composition.

Turmeric and Curcumin-Health-Promoting Properties in Humans versus Dogs

The growing popularity of the use of nutraceuticals in the prevention and alleviation of symptoms of many diseases in humans and dogs means that they are increasingly the subject of research. A representative of the nutraceutical that deserves special attention is turmeric. Turmeric belongs to the family Zingiberaceae and is grown extensively in Asia. It is a plant used as a spice and food coloring, and it is also used in traditional medicine. The biologically active factors that give turmeric its unusual properties and color are curcuminoids. It is a group of substances that includes curcumin, de-methoxycurcumin, and bis-demethoxycurcumin. Curcumin is used as a yellow-orange food coloring. The most important pro-health effects observed after taking curcuminoids include anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant effects. The aim of this study was to characterize turmeric and its main substance, curcumin, in terms of their properties, advantages, and disadvantages, based on literature data.

Synthesis and evaluation of curcumin-based near-infrared fluorescent probes for detection of amyloid β peptide in Alzheimer mouse models

The abnormal accumulation of amyloid β protein (Aβ) is one of the most important causes of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is usually a detecting biomarker. Curcumin and its derivatives have potential Aβ aggregate targeting ability; we synthesized a series of curcumin-based near-infrared fluorescence probes in this study. By characterizing the excitation wavelength and emission wavelength, the imaging characteristics of the investigation in the near-infrared light region were determined; with an increase in the concentration of the probe compounds, the fluorescence intensity showed an upward trend, demonstrating ideal optical characteristics. In vivo, imaging results showed that the synthesized probe compounds could penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and specifically bind to Aβ in the brain of APP/PS1 mice. Especially for compound 3b, the maximum emission wavelength was around 667 nm, and the fluorescence signal intensity in the brain of the APP/PS1 mice model was more than twice that of the wild control group at 120 min after administration, which could display Aβ pathological changes. The fluorescent probes designed in this study can become an effective tool for early AD diagnosis and visual detection.

Impact of Thermal Processing on the Composition of Curcuma longa Rhizome

Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae), known as turmeric, is a perennial tuberous plant from the genus Curcuma, which includes about 100 plant species. The chemical composition of the turmeric rhizome is very diverse. Diarylheptanoid derivatives, also known as curcuminoids (of which curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin are the most important representatives), are the major active constituents of the plant rhizome. Many extracts used in the food and pharmaceutical industries are produced from thermally processed rhizome, when there are significant changes in the composition of the main compounds. Therefore, the aim of the study was to compare how the type of thermal treatment affects the content of curcuminoids and the antioxidant properties of the rhizome. The plant material was subjected to three different methods of thermal processing-microwave heating, boiling and frying in different time intervals. The chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the processed rhizome was evaluated using LC-MS (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry), HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) and spectrophotometric methods (a DPPH test and TPC assay). Obtained results revealed that curcumin was the major curcuminoid present in all samples (113.92 mg/g of the fresh rhizome). Significant correlation between the type and time of the thermal processing and the composition of turmeric samples was revealed. A traditional boiling process lasting for 10 min was the most beneficial process in terms of the curcuminoid content (204 mg/g of curcumin) and antioxidant activity of the samples.

The Role of Plant-Derived Natural Products in the Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease-What Is the Clinical Evidence So Far?

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are a major healthcare challenge worldwide. Disturbances in the immune system and gut microbiota followed by environmental triggers are thought to be part of the aetiological factors. Current treatment for IBD includes corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and other biologic agents; however, some patients are still unresponsive, and these are also linked to high financial load and severe side effects. Plant-derived natural products are rich in phytochemicals and have been used as healing agents in several diseases since antiquity due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties, as well as gut microbiota modulation. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that phytochemicals act in key pathways that are associated with the pathogenesis of IBD. It is also reported that the use of plant-derived natural products as complementary treatments is increasing amongst patients with IBD to avoid the side effects accompanying standard medical treatment. This review summarises the relevant evidence around the use of plant-derived natural products in the management of IBD, with specific focus on the clinical evidence so far for Curcumin, Mastiha, Boswellia serrata, and Artemisia absinthium.

Therapeutic Applications of Plant-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as Antioxidants for Oxidative Stress-Related Diseases

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) composed of a lipid bilayer are released from various cell types, including animals, plants, and microorganisms, and serve as important mediators of cell-to-cell communication. EVs can perform a variety of biological functions through the delivery of bioactive molecules, such as nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins, and can also be utilized as carriers for drug delivery. However, the low productivity and high cost of mammalian-derived EVs (MDEVs) are major barriers to their practical clinical application where large-scale production is essential. Recently, there has been growing interest in plant-derived EVs (PDEVs) that can produce large amounts of electricity at a low cost. In particular, PDEVs contain plant-derived bioactive molecules such as antioxidants, which are used as therapeutic agents to treat various diseases. In this review, we discuss the composition and characteristics of PDEVs and the appropriate methods for their isolation. We also discuss the potential use of PDEVs containing various plant-derived antioxidants as replacements for conventional antioxidants.

Effects of curcumin nanodelivery on schizophrenia and glioblastoma

Curcumin is a natural polyphenol, which has a variety of pharmacological activities, including, antineoplastic, antioxidative and neuroprotective effects. Recent studies provided evidence for the bioactive role of curcumin in the prevention and treatment of various central nervous system (CNS)-related diseases including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Schizophrenia disease and glioma neoplasia. Schizophrenia is a disabling psychiatric disorder related with an aberrant functional coupling between hippocampus and prefrontal cortex that might be crucial for cognitive dysfunction. Animal studies have lent support to the hypothesis that curcumin could improve cognitive functioning and enhance cell proliferation of dentate gyrus. In relation to brain tumors, specifically gliomas, the antineoplastic action of curcumin is based on the inhibition of cell growth promoting apoptosis or autophagy and preventing angiogenesis. However, one of the main impediments for the application of curcumin to patients is its low bioavailability. In intracranial lesions, curcumin has problems to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Currently nano-based drug delivery systems are opening a new horizon to tackle this problem. The bioavailability and effective release of curcumin can be made possible in the form of nanocurcumin. This nanoformulation preserves the properties of curcumin and makes it reach tissues with pathology. This review try to study the beneficial effects of the curcumin nanodelivery in central nervous pathologies such us schizophrenia and glioma disease.

Hot-Melt Extrusion as an Effective Technique for Obtaining an Amorphous System of Curcumin and Piperine with Improved Properties Essential for Their Better Biological Activities

Poor bioavailability hampers the use of curcumin and piperine as biologically active agents. It can be improved by enhancing the solubility as well as by using bioenhancers to inhibit metabolic transformation processes. Obtaining an amorphous system of curcumin and piperine can lead to the overcoming of these limitations. Hot-melt extrusion successfully produced their amorphous systems, as shown by XRPD and DSC analyses. Additionally, the presence of intermolecular interactions between the components of the systems was investigated using the FT-IR/ATR technique. The systems were able to produce a supersaturation state as well as improve the apparent solubilities of curcumin and piperine by 9496- and 161-fold, respectively. The permeabilities of curcumin in the GIT and BBB PAMPA models increased by 12578- and 3069-fold, respectively, whereas piperine's were raised by 343- and 164-fold, respectively. Improved solubility had a positive effect on both antioxidant and anti-butyrylcholinesterase activities. The best system suppressed 96.97 ± 1.32% of DPPH radicals, and butyrylcholinesterase activity was inhibited by 98.52 ± 0.87%. In conclusion, amorphization remarkably increased the dissolution rate, apparent solubility, permeability, and biological activities of curcumin and piperine.

Platin-C containing nanoparticles: a recipe for the delivery of curcumin-cisplatin combination chemotherapeutics to mitochondria

The success story of cisplatin spans over six decades now and yet it continues to be the key player in most chemotherapeutic regimens. Numerous efforts have been made to improve its efficacy, address its shortcomings, and overcome drug resistance. One such strategy is to develop new platinum(IV)-based prodrugs with functionally active ligands to deliver combination therapeutics. This strategy not only enables the drug candidate to access multiple drug targets but also enhances the kinetic inertness of platinum complexes and thereby ensures greater accumulation of active drugs at the target site. We report the synthesis of Platin-C, a platinum(IV)-based cisplatin prodrug tethered to the active component of ancient herbal medicine, curcumin, as one of the axial ligands. This combination complex showed improved chemotherapeutic efficacy in cisplatin resistant A2780/CP70 cell lines compared with the individual components. An amine-terminated biodegradable polymer was suitably functionalized with the triphenylphosphonium (TPP) cation to obtain a mitochondria-directed drug delivery platform. Quantification of Platin-C loading into these NPs using complementary techniques employing curcumin optical properties in high-performance liquid chromatography and platinum-based inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry evidenced efficacious payload incorporation resulting in functional activities of both the components. Stability studies for a period of one week indicated that the NPs remain stable, enabling substantial loading and controlled release of the prodrug. The targeting nanoparticle (NP) platform was utilized to deliver Platin-C primarily in the mitochondrial network of cancer cells as monitored using confocal microscopy employing the green fluorescence of the curcumin pendant. Our studies showed that amine terminated NPs were relatively less efficient in their ability to target mitochondria despite being positively charged. This re-validated the importance of lipophilic positively charged TPP surface functionalities to successfully target cellular mitochondria. We validated the capabilities of Platin-C and its mitochondria-targeting nanoparticles towards inflicting mitochondria-directed activity in cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant cell lines. Furthermore, our studies also demonstrated the effectiveness of Platin-C incorporated targeting NPs in attenuating cellular inflammatory markers by utilizing the curcumin component. This study advances our understanding of the cisplatin prodrug approach to combine chemotherapeutic and inflammatory effects in accessing combinatory pathways.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of the curcumin and piperine combination on lipid profile in patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders

Metabolic syndrome is characterized by multiple metabolic disorders. Several studies indicated that curcumin plus piperine could affect lipids profiles in various diseases. The present meta-analysis aims to assess the effect of curcumin plus piperine on lipid profiles in patients with MetS and associated disorders using a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Trials were searched by several electronic databases up to May 2022. The Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) version3 software carried out this systematic review and meta-analysis. Random-effects model and the inverse variance method were used to conduct the meta-analysis. We evaluated the publication bias and heterogeneity of all eligible studies. In addition, subgroup analyses and sensitivity assessments were performed to assess potential sources of heterogeneity. The combined results by the random-effects model demonstrated that curcumin plus piperine significantly decreased total cholesterol and LDL-C in patients suffering from metabolic syndrome. In comparison, the results of the overall effect size did not show any significant change in triglyceride concentrations. Our results were robust in sensitivity analysis and were not dependent on the dose of curcumin, the dose of piperine, and the duration of treatment. Our results showed that co-administration of piperine and curcumin supplementation improves the lipid profile in metabolic syndrome. However, further long-term RCTs are required to ascertain their clinical benefit.

Analytical Purity Determinations of Universal Food-Spice Curcuma longa through a QbD Validated HPLC Approach with Critical Parametric Predictors and Operable-Design's Monte Carlo Simulations: Analysis of Extracts, Forced-Degradants, and Capsules and Tablets-Based Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms

Applications of analytical quality by design (QbD) approach for developing HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) methods for food components assays, and separations of complex natural product mixtures, are still limited. The current study developed and validated, for the first time, a stability-indicating HPLC method for simultaneous determinations of curcuminoids in Curcuma longa extracts, tablets, capsules, and curcuminoids' forced degradants under different experimental conditions. Towards separation strategy, critical method parameters (CMPs) were defined as the mobile phase solvents' percent-ratio, the pH of the mobile phase, and the stationary-phase column temperature, while the peaks resolution, retention time, and the number of theoretical plates were recognized as the critical method attributes (CMAs). Factorial experimental designs were used for method development, validation, and robustness evaluation of the procedure. The Monte Carlo simulation evaluated the developing method's operability, and that ensured the concurrent detections of curcuminoids in natural extracts, commercial-grade pharmaceutical dosage-forms, and the forced degradants of the curcuminoids in a single mixture. The optimum separations were accomplished using the mobile phase, consisting of an acetonitrile-phosphate buffer (54:46 v/v, 0.1 mM) with 1.0 mL/min flow rate, 33 °C column temperature, and 385 nm wavelength for UV (Ultra Violet) spectral detections. The method is specific, linear (R2 ≥ 0.999), precise (% RSD < 1.67%), and accurate (% recovery 98.76-99.89%), with LOD (Limit of Detection) and LOQ (Limit of Quantitation) at 0.024 and 0.075 µg/mL for the curcumin, 0.0105 µg/mL and 0.319 µg/mL for demethoxycurcumin, and 0.335 µg/mL and 1.015 µg/mL for the bisdemethoxycurcumin, respectively. The method is compatible, robust, precise, reproducible, and accurately quantifies the composition of the analyte mixture. It exemplifies the use of the QbD approach in acquiring design details for developing an improved analytical detection and quantification method.

Curcumin a Natural Phenol and Its Therapeutic Role in Cancer and Photodynamic Therapy: A Review

Cancer continues to cause an alarming number of deaths globally, and its burden on the health system is significant. Though different conventional therapeutic procedures are exploited for cancer treatment, the prevalence and death rates remain elevated. These, therefore, insinuate that novel and more efficient treatment procedures are needed for cancer. Curcumin, a bioactive, natural, phenolic compound isolated from the rhizome of the herbaceous plant turmeric, is receiving great interest for its exciting and broad pharmacological properties. Curcumin presents anticancer therapeutic capacities and can be utilized as a photosensitizing drug in cancer photodynamic therapy (PDT). Nonetheless, curcumin's poor bioavailability and related pharmacokinetics limit its clinical utility in cancer treatment. This review looks at the physical and chemical properties, bioavailability, and safety of curcumin, while focusing on curcumin as an agent in cancer therapy and as a photosensitizer in cancer PDT. The possible mechanisms and cellular targets of curcumin in cancer therapy and PDT are highlighted. Furthermore, recent improvements in curcumin's bioavailability in cancer therapy using nanoformulations and delivery systems are presented.

Immunomodulatory Therapeutic Effects of Curcumin on M1/M2 Macrophage Polarization in Inflammatory Diseases

BACKGROUND

Due to their plasticity, macrophages exert critical effects on both promoting and suppressing inflammatory processes. Pathologic inflammatory conditions are frequently correlated with dynamic alterations in macrophage activation, with classically activated M1 cells associated with the promotion and maintenance of inflammation and M2 cells being linked to the resolution or smouldering of chronic inflammation. Inflammation deputes a common feature of various chronic diseases and the direct involvement in the insurgence and development of these conditions. Macrophages participate in an autoregulatory loop characterizing the inflammatory process, as they produce a wide range of biologically active mediators that exert either deleterious or beneficial effects during the inflammation. Therefore, balancing the favorable ratios of M1/M2 macrophages can help ameliorate the inflammatory landscape of pathologic conditions. Curcumin is a component of turmeric with many pharmacological properties.

OBJECTIVE

Recent results from both in-vivo and in-vitro studies have indicated that curcumin can affect polarization and/or functions of macrophage subsets in the context of inflammation-related diseases. There is no comprehensive review of the impact of curcumin on cytokines involved in macrophage polarization in the context of inflammatory diseases. The present review will cover some efforts to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms by which curcumin modulates the macrophage polarization in distant pathological inflammatory conditions, such as cancer, autoimmunity, renal inflammation, stroke, atherosclerosis, and macrophage-driven pathogenesis.

RESULTS

The accumulation of the findings from in vitro and in vivo experimental studies suggests that curcumin beneficially influences M1 and M2 macrophages in a variety of inflammatory diseases with unfavorable macrophage activation.

CONCLUSION

Curcumin not only enhances anti-tumor immunity (via shifting M polarization towards M1 phenotype and/or up-regulation of M1 markers expression) but ameliorates inflammatory diseases, including autoimmune diseases (experimental autoimmune myocarditis and Behcet's disease), nephropathy, chronic serum sickness, stroke, and atherosclerosis.

COVID-19: Reducing the risk via diet and lifestyle

This review shows that relatively simple changes to diet and lifestyle can significantly, and rapidly, reduce the risks associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in terms of infection risk, severity of disease, and even disease-related mortality. A wide range of interventions including regular exercise, adequate sleep, plant-based diets, maintenance of healthy weight, dietary supplementation, and time in nature have each been shown to have beneficial effects for supporting more positive health outcomes with COVID-19, in addition to promoting better overall health. This paper brings together literature from these areas and presents the argument that non-pharmaceutical approaches should not be overlooked in our response to COVID-19. It is noted that, in several cases, interventions discussed result in risk reductions equivalent to, or even greater than, those associated with currently available vaccines. Where the balance of evidence suggests benefits, and the risk is minimal to none, it is suggested that communicating the power of individual actions to the public becomes morally imperative. Further, many lives could be saved, and many harms from the vaccine mandates avoided, if we were willing to embrace this lifestyle-centred approach in our efforts to deal with COVID-19.

The Impact of Curcumin on Immune Response: An Immunomodulatory Strategy to Treat Sepsis

Primary and secondary immunodeficiencies cause an alteration in the immune response which can increase the rate of infectious diseases and worsened prognoses. They can also alter the immune response, thus, making the infection even worse. Curcumin is the most biologically active component of the turmeric root and appears to be an antimicrobial agent. Curcumin cooperates with various cells such as macrophages, dendritic cells, B, T, and natural killer cells to modify the body's defence capacity. Curcumin also inhibits inflammatory responses by suppressing different metabolic pathways, reduces the production of inflammatory cytokines, and increases the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Curcumin may also affect oxidative stress and the non-coding genetic material. This review analyses the relationships between immunodeficiency and the onset of infectious diseases and discusses the effects of curcumin and its derivatives on the immune response. In addition, we analyse some of the preclinical and clinical studies that support its possible use in prophylaxis or in the treatment of infectious diseases. Lastly, we examine how nanotechnologies can enhance the clinical use of curcumin.

Polysaccharide-based porous biopolymers for enhanced bioaccessibility and bioavailability of bioactive food compounds: Challenges, advances, and opportunities

Bioactive food compounds, such as lycopene, curcumin, phytosterols, and resveratrol, have received great attention due to their potential health benefits. However, these bioactive compounds (BCs) have poor chemical stability during processing and low bioavailability after consumption. Several delivery systems have been proposed for enhancing their stability and bioavailability. Among these methods, porous biopolymers have emerged as alternative encapsulation materials, as they have superior properties like high surface area, porosity, and tunable surface chemistry to entrap BCs. This reduces the crystallinity (especially for the lipophilic ones) and particle size, and in turn, increases solubilization and bioavailability. Also, loading BCs into the porous matrix can protect them against environmental stresses such as light, heat, oxygen, and pH. This review introduces polysaccharide-based porous biopolymers for improving the bioaccessibility/bioavailability of bioactive food compounds and discusses their recent applications in the food industry. First, bioaccessibility and bioavailability are described with a special emphasis on the factors affecting them. Then, porous biopolymer fabrication methods, including supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂ ) drying, freeze-drying, and electrospinning and electrospraying, are thoroughly discussed. Finally, common polysaccharide-based biopolymers (i.e., starch, nanocellulose, alginate, and pectin) used for generating porous materials are reviewed, and their current and potential future food applications are critically discussed.

Combination of curcumin and piperine synergistically improves pain-like behaviors in mouse models of pain with no potential CNS side effects

Background

Curcumin and piperine are major bioactive compounds of Curcuma longa and Piper nigrum, widely consumed as spices and flock medicine. The combinational use of these plants is a common practice in Southeast Asia. Synergism between curcumin and piperine has been found in several animal models but not in periodontal disease and diabetes, and the antinociceptive interaction is still unknown. Hence, the present study aimed to assess the interaction between curcumin and piperine in pain and its potential CNS side effect profile.

Methods

Formalin test and in vitro LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells were used to assess the synergistic interaction of curcumin and piperine in a mouse model of inflammatory pain. Tail-flick and cold plate tests were applied to determine the antinociceptive synergism between piperine and curcumin. The interaction was determined by applying isobolographic analysis. The potential CNS-side effects of the curcumin and piperine combination were also assessed using LABORAS automated home-cage behavioral analysis.

Results

Curcumin alone dose-dependently improved pain-like behaviors in the formalin, tail-flick, and cold plate tests with the ED₅₀ of 71.4, 34.4, and 31.9 mg/kg, respectively. Additionally, piperine exhibited efficacy in the formalin, tail-flick, and cold plate tests with the ED₅₀ of 18.4, 8.1, and 28.1 mg/kg, respectively. The combination of curcumin and piperine (1:1 ED₅₀ ratio) produced synergistic interaction in the formalin, tail-flick, and cold plate tests as assessed significantly lower experimental ED₅₀ values (5.9, 5.2, and 5.5 mg/kg) compared to theoretical ED₅₀ values (44.9, 21.3, and 30.0 mg/kg), isobologram analysis, and interaction index values of 0.13, 0.24 and 0.18, respectively. The synergistic interaction of curcumin and piperine was further confirmed by the efficacy of the combination in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Curcumin and piperine interacted synergistically, reducing proinflammatory mediators. The combination also demonstrated better compatibility profiles with neuronal cells. Furthermore, the curcumin-piperine combination had no effects on mouse spontaneous locomotor behaviors in LABORAS automated home cage monitoring.

Conclusion

Overall, the present study demonstrates strong antinociceptive synergism between curcumin and piperine in mouse models with no potential CNS side effects, suggesting its possible use in clinical trials.

Curcumin Hybrid Lipid Polymeric Nanoparticles: Antioxidant Activity, Immune Cellular Response, and Cytotoxicity Evaluation

Poor solubility and short biological half-life present a challenge that needs to be overcome in order to improve the recognized bioactivities of curcumin (CUR), the main phenolic compounds derived from the roots of Curcuma longa. However, drug delivery systems have proven to be an excellent strategy to improve and obtain greater bioavailability. Our previous studies on curcuminoid hybrid nanoparticles have shown promising results by significantly increasing the solubility of desmethoxycurcumin (DMC) and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDM). In this contribution, we performed a detailed characterization of a CUR as well as in vitro and in vivo studies. The developed method produced CUR loaded nanoparticles with an average size of 49.46 ± 0.80. Moreover, the FT-IR analysis confirmed the encapsulation, and TEM images showed their spherical shape. The NP achieved an encapsulation efficiency greater than 99%. Further, the release studies found that the NPs obtained a significantly higher release than the pure compounds in water. In vivo delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) studies showed promising results by enhancing the immune activity response of CUR in NP compared to bulk CUR. Furthermore, we report a significant increase in antioxidant activity for CUR-NP in aqueous solution compared to free CUR. Finally, an important in vitro cytotoxic effect on gastric AGS and colon SW620 adenocarcinoma cell lines was found for CUR-NP while empty carrier nanoparticles are observed to exhibit low cytotoxicity, indicating the potential of these CUR-PLU NPs for further studies to assess their phytotherapeutic applications.

Bioactive Effects of Curcumin in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Along with the Most Effective Isolation Techniques and Type of Nanoformulations

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with African countries being the worst affected by this deadly virus. Curcumin (CUR) is a Curcuma longa-derived polyphenol that has attracted the attention of researchers due to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory and antiviral effects. CUR also demonstrates anti-HIV effects by acting as a possible inhibitor of gp120 binding, integrase, protease, and topoisomerase II activities, besides also exerting a protective action against HIV-associated diseases. However, its effectiveness is limited due to its poor water solubility, rapid metabolism, and systemic elimination. Nanoformulations have been shown to be useful to enhance curcumin’s bioavailability and its effectiveness as an anti-HIV agent. In this sense, bioactive effects of CUR in HIV infection are carefully reviewed, along with the most effective isolation techniques and type of nanoformulations available.

The aphrodisiac potential of β-cyclodextrin-curcumin via stimulating cAMP-PKA pathway in testicular Leydig cells

The water-soluble β-cyclodextrin–curcumin (CDC) is used in pharmaceutical applications and as a natural food colorant. The previous study revealed that curcumin potentially impacted the reproductive system. The present study investigated the possible roles of the CDC in testosterone secretion in Leydig cells and mice. Primary Leydig cells were treated with the CDC to determine their effect on cell proliferation, testosterone levels, the protein and mRNA expression of the transcription factor, and steroidogenic enzymes. Our data showed that CDC stimulated testosterone production via upregulating transcription factor steroidogenic factor-1 (NR5A1), cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB), and steroidogenic enzymes steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (CYP11A1), 17-alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (CYP17A1), 3β-/17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (3β/17β-HSD, HSD3b1/HSD17b1). CDC could significantly stimulate H89-suppressed StAR and CREB expression but not reverse melatonin-suppressed StAR expression. We further detected the hormonal activity with transgenic yeast, and CDC showed potential androgenic antagonistic activity. Meanwhile, we investigated its aphrodisiac effect on hydrocortisone-induced mice. Exposure to hydrocortisone decreased the mating ability, reproductive organs, and testosterone level and disrupted testicular histology. However, all of these effects were significantly improved by CDC treatment. In conclusion, these results indicated that mechanisms of CDC in stimulating testosterone production involve upregulating the cAMP-PKA pathway.

Evaluation of EDTA Dianhydride Versus Diphenyl Carbonate Nanosponges for Curcumin

Cyclodextrin-based nanosponges are widely investigated for several applications and are considered potential drug carriers. The method of nanosponges preparation involves the use of chemical cross-linking agents where the properties of Nanosponges can be affected. This study compared the resulting differences in the final nanosponges' properties using carbonate and dianhydride crosslinkers. Diphenyl carbonate and EDTA dianhydride were used for the synthesis of nanosponges. Both types of nanosponges were loaded with curcumin as a model drug. Physicochemical characterizations, including PXRD, DSC, FTIR, scanning electron microscopy, AFM, particle size, zeta potential, and surface area analysis, were carried out for the prepared nanosponges. Curcumin release and drug content were also evaluated. Nanosponges prepared by Diphenyl carbonate crosslinker resulted in an amorphous form compared to crystalline EDTA-nanosponges. This study reported the successful inclusion and complexation of curcumin inside carbonate cross-linked cyclodextrin-based nanosponges and suggested the physical entrapment of crystalline curcumin in EDTA dianhydride. These findings were further investigated and supported by computational modeling.

Dietary compounds in modulation of gut microbiota-derived metabolites

Gut microbiota, a group of microorganisms that live in the gastrointestinal tract, plays important roles in health and disease. One mechanism that gut microbiota in modulation of the functions of hosts is achieved through synthesizing and releasing a series of metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids. In recent years, increasing evidence has indicated that dietary compounds can interact with gut microbiota. On one hand, dietary compounds can modulate the composition and function of gut microbiota; on the other hand, gut microbiota can metabolize the dietary compounds. Although there are several reviews on gut microbiota and diets, there is no focused review on the effects of dietary compounds on gut microbiota-derived metabolites. In this review, we first briefly discussed the types of gut microbiota metabolites, their origins, and the reasons that dietary compounds can interact with gut microbiota. Then, focusing on gut microbiota-derived compounds, we discussed the effects of dietary compounds on gut microbiota-derived compounds and the following effects on health. Furthermore, we give our perspectives on the research direction of the related research fields. Understanding the roles of dietary compounds on gut microbiota-derived metabolites will expand our knowledge of how diets affect the host health and disease, thus eventually enable the personalized diets and nutrients.

Intracellular K+-Responsive Block Copolymer Micelles for Targeted Drug Delivery of Curcumin

Curcumin (CUR) is a natural bioactive compound that has attracted attention as a “golden molecule” due to its therapeutic properties against several types of tumors. Nonetheless, the antitumor application of CUR is hampered due to its extremely low aqueous solubility and chemical instability. Herein, a novel type of CUR-loaded polymeric micelles with intracellular K⁺-responsive controlled-release properties is designed and developed. The polymeric micelles are self-assembled by poly (N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acryloylamidobenzo-15-crown-5-co-N, N-dimethylacrylamide)-b-DSPE (PNDB-b-DSPE) block copolymers, and CUR. CUR is successfully loaded into the micelles with a CUR loading content of 6.26 wt%. The proposed CUR-PNDB-DSPE polymeric micelles exhibit a significant CUR release in simulated intracellular fluid due to the formation of 2 : 1 ‘‘sandwich’’ host–guest complexes of 15-crown-5 and K⁺, which lead to the hydrophilic outer shell of micelles to collapse and the drug to rapidly migrate out of the micelles. In vitro, the B16F10 cell experiment indicates that CUR-PNDB-DSPE micelles exhibit a high cellular uptake and excellent intracellular drug release in response to the intracellular K⁺ concentration. Moreover, CUR-PNDB-DSPE micelles show high cytotoxicity to B16F10 cells compared to free CUR and CUR-PEG-DSPE micelles. The polymeric micelles with intracellular K⁺-responsive controlled release properties proposed in this study provide a new strategy for designing novel targeted drug delivery systems for CUR delivery for cancer treatment.

In Vitro Evaluation of Curcumin Encapsulation in Gum Arabic Dispersions under Different Environments

Biopolymers, especially polysaccharides (e.g., gum Arabic), are widely applied as drug carriers in drug delivery systems due to their advantages. Curcumin, with high antioxidant ability but limited solubility and bioavailability in the body, can be encapsulated in gum Arabic to improve its solubility and bioavailability. When curcumin is encapsulated in gum Arabic, it is essential to understand how it works in various conditions. As a result, in Simulated Intestinal Fluid and Simulated Gastric Fluid conditions, we investigated the potential of gum Arabic as the drug carrier of curcumin. This study was conducted by varying the gum Arabic concentrations, i.e., 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, and 40%, to encapsulate 0.1 mg/mL of curcumin. Under both conditions, the greater the gum Arabic concentration, the greater the encapsulation efficiency and antioxidant activity of curcumin, but the worse the gum Arabic loading capacity. To achieve excellent encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, and antioxidant activity, the data advises that 10% is the best feasible gum Arabic concentration. Regarding the antioxidant activity of curcumin, the findings imply that a high concentration of gum Arabic was effective, and the Simulated Intestinal Fluid brought an excellent surrounding compared to the Simulated Gastric Fluid solution. Moreover, the gum Arabic releases curcumin faster in the Simulated Gastric Fluid condition.

Dietary curcumin nanoparticles promoted the performance, antioxidant activity, and humoral immunity, and modulated the hepatic and intestinal histology of Nile tilapia fingerlings

The current study investigated the effects of dietary curcumin nanoparticles (C-NPs) on the performance, hemato-biochemical profile, digestive enzymes activities, antioxidant status, humoral immunity, and liver and intestinal histology of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Fish (4.3 ± 0.5 g) were fed with diets enriched with 0.0 (control), 15, 30, 45, and 60 mg C-NPs/kg diet up to apparent satiety thrice a day for 60 days. The growth-stimulating effects of dietary C-NPs were significantly observed in terms of final weight, weight gain %, specific growth rate, and feed intake. Compared with the control group, serum amylase, lipase, and proteases activities of Nile tilapia significantly (P < 0.05) increased alongside the increase in dietary levels of C-NPs in a dose-dependent manner. The counts of red blood cells and white blood cells as well as hemoglobin and hematocrit levels of Nile tilapia fed with 30-60 mg C-NPs/kg diet were statistically (P < 0.05) higher than fish in the control group with no significant differences among them (P > 0.05). Moreover, lymphocytes and monocytes significantly (P > 0.05) increased; meanwhile neutrophils significantly (P > 0.05) decreased as C-NPs levels in diets increased. In a similar trend, antioxidant (malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) and humoral immunity (lysozyme and total immunoglobulin) biomarkers were significantly higher in C-NPs-fed fish. Liver histology showed improvements in the cell architecture of fish fed with C-NPs containing diets up to 45 mg/kg diet. Compared with the control diet, feeding Nile tilapia with C-NPs diets resulted in a higher villi length/width and absorption area. According to the regression curves, the current study recommends using the dietary C-NP with optimum values of 45-55 mg/kg diet to improve the performance, digestive enzymes, antioxidant activities, and immunity response of Nile tilapia.

Superior Bioavailability of a Novel Curcumin Formulation in Healthy Humans Under Fasting Conditions

BACKGROUND

Despite its broad range of biological activities, use of curcumin is limited because of poor bioavailability. Here we report a novel curcumin formulation, Curcuwin Ultra+ (CU+), with superior bioavailability as compared to 95% turmeric extract (TUR 1800).

METHODS

A randomized, double-blind, three-treatment, crossover oral bioavailability study was conducted in 24 healthy volunteers under fasting conditions. Subjects received a single dose of CU+ 250 mg, 500 mg and 1900 mg of TUR1800 as per randomization schedule and blood samples were collected at 4 h and 0 h before dosing, and 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24 h post dose. Total curcuminoids were measured as curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin, and tetrahydrocurcumin using a validated LC-MS/MS method.

RESULTS

CU+ achieved a significantly higher (p < 0.05) maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and total systemic exposure (AUC0-6 and AUC0-12) for total curcuminoids as compared to TUR 1800. We observed 101 and 100 times higher Cmax respectively for 250 and 500 mg doses of CU+ as compared to 1900 mg of TUR1800. Similarly, AUC0-6 was 144 and 149 times higher whereas AUC0-12 was 99 and 113 times higher respectively for 250 and 500 mg doses of CU+ as compared to 1900 mg dose of TUR1800. Further, CU+ showed 40% faster absorption (p < 0.05). No safety issues were observed.

CONCLUSION

CU+, which is designed for increased absorption and protection of curcuminoids from intestinal degradation, demonstrated superior bioavailability as compared to TUR1800 at considerably smaller doses. Additional clinical studies will help to demonstrate the impact of its increased bioavailability on efficacy.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

CTRI/2020/10/028508 (Clinical Trials Registry-India).

Evaluation of Nano-curcumin effects against Tartrazine-induced abnormalities in liver and kidney histology and other biochemical parameters

In the current study, 40 albino male rats were investigated to evaluate the impact of Nano-curcumin (Nano-CUR) administration against Tartrazine (TZ)-induced variations in kidney and liver histology and their related functions. The liver function biomarkers are (glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transaminase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (T. BiLL)), whereas the kidney biomarkers are (creatinine, uric acid, urea, globulin, total protein (TP)), as well as blood parameters of (serum glucose (sGlu), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), protein Kinase-C (PKC)) and lipid profiles that include (total lipids (TL), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density L-C (HDL-C), and very-low-density L-C (VLDL-C)). The collected rats were randomly separated into four different groups (G1, G2, G3, and G4) of 10 rats each, where G1 stands for control, G2 for TZ-ingestion, G3 for Nano-CUR-ingestion, and G4 for (TZ + Nano-CUR mix.) ingestion. TZ-ingestion significantly (p < .05) increases the liver function enzymes' activity, total bilirubin and kidney biomarkers (creatinine, urea, uric acid, total protein (TP), globulin (Glu)). Also, TZ-ingestion significantly increased sGlu, PKC, AFP, as well as lipid profiles, while there were significant (p < .05) decreases in HDL-C and albumin (Alb) concentrations compared to control. Histopathological changes in liver, such as dilatation of blood sinusoids and central vein with hemorrhage and necrosis, were observed due to TZ-ingestion. Similarly, TZ-ingestion influenced kidney tissues in terms of tubular dilatation with tubular degeneration, thickened basement membrane, and dilatation of the glomerular capillaries. Markedly, the administration of Nano-CUR significantly decreased liver and kidney function enzymes as well as sGlu, AFP, and PKC, whereas it significantly increased serum Alb and HDL-C levels compared to control and TZ-ingested rats. All values arranged around normal control values. Also, the liver tissue of Nano-CUR-ingested rats showed a normal arrangement of normal blood sinusoids(s), hepatic cords, and hepatocytes as compared to controls. The same results were also found in the section of rat kidney ingested with 2.00 g of Nano-CUR/(kg B.W.) showing near-normal architecture as compared to control rats. The liver tissue of rats ingested by a mixture of (7.5 mg of TZ + 2.0 g of Nano-CUR/kg B.W.) showed little necrosis. Similarly, a section of rat kidney ingested a mixture of (7.5 mg of TZ + 2.00 g of Nano-CUR/kg B.W.) which revealed mild tubular degeneration and dilatation of the glomerular capillaries. These results support the protective and therapeutic effects of Nano-CUR on the histology of liver and kidneys and their related function biomarkers. Also, Nano-CUR corrects the imbalance in serum glucose (sGlu), AFP, PKC, and lipid profiles in TZ-ingested rats compared to control.