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Gasbarri C, Angelini G. Cyclocurcumin as Promising Bioactive Natural Compound: An Overview. Molecules 2024; 29:1451. [PMID: 38611731 PMCID: PMC11013289 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29071451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Although identical in molecular formula and weight, curcumin and cyclocurcumin show remarkable differences in their reactivity. Both are natural compounds isolated from the rhizome of turmeric, the former is involved in the diketo/keto-enol tautomerism through the bis-α,β-unsaturated diketone unit according to the polarity of the solvent, while the latter could react by trans-cis isomerization due to the presence of the α,β-unsaturated dihydropyranone moiety. Even if curcumin is generally considered responsible of the therapeutical properties of Curcuma longa L. due to its high content, cyclocurcumin has attracted great interest over the last several decades for its individual behavior and specific features as a bioactive compound. Cyclocurcumin has a hydrophobic nature characterized by fluorescence emission, solvatochromism, and the tendency to form spherical fluorescent aggregates in aqueous solution. Molecular docking analysis reveals the potentiality of cyclocurcumin as antioxidant, enzyme inhibitor, and antiviral agent. Promising biological activities are observed especially in the treatment of degenerative and cardiovascular diseases. Despite the versatility emerging from the data reported herein, the use of cyclocurcumin seems to remain limited in clinical applications mainly because of its low solubility and bioavailability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Gasbarri
- Department of Pharmacy, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti—Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
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The Effect of Curcumin-Loaded Glucan Nanoparticles on Immune Cells: Size as a Critical Quality Attribute. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020623. [PMID: 36839945 PMCID: PMC9959491 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Curcumin is known for its multiple health benefits, largely due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been extensively studied as a therapeutic agent, however, it does not have good clinical efficacy due to its poor water solubility and bioavailability. Despite accepting the encapsulation of this compound in polymeric particles as one of the most promising strategies to increase its therapeutic value, these nanoparticles have fallen short of expectations due to a lack of assessment of their possible adverse effects on the immune system. Therefore, in this work, we report on a new method to encapsulate curcumin into glucan nanoparticles and their effects on cells of the immune system were evaluated. Two different-sized curcumin-loaded glucan NPs (GluCur 100 and GluCur 380) were produced, each with an encapsulation efficiency close to 100%, and were characterized regarding their size distribution, surface properties, and morphology. The results revealed the greatest hemolytic effect and cytotoxicity for the smallest particles (100 nm) tested in human PBMCs and RAW 264.7 cells. Although GluCur 380 NPs showed a weaker ROS production, they were able to inhibit the production of NO by macrophages. Furthermore, we found that the coagulation time was not affected by both sized-particles as well as platelet function. Additionally, both nanoparticles induced lymphocyte proliferation and TNF-α secretion by Mo-DCs. In conclusion, this report emphasizes the importance of the immunotoxicity assessment and how this is dependent on the intrinsic properties of nanomaterials, hopefully contributing to increasing the safety of nanomedicines.
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Delova A, Losantos R, Pecourneau J, Bernhard Y, Mourer M, Pasc A, Monari A. Perturbation of Lipid Bilayers by Biomimetic Photoswitches Based on Cyclocurcumin. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:299-307. [PMID: 36479861 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c01152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The use of photoswitches which may be activated by suitable electromagnetic radiation is an attractive alternative to conventional photodynamic therapy. Here, we report all-atom molecular dynamics simulation of a biomimetic photoswitch derived from cyclocurcumin and experiencing E/Z photoisomerization. In particular, we show that the two isomers interact persistently with a lipid bilayer modeling a cellular membrane. Furthermore, the interaction with the membrane is strongly dependent on the concentration, and a transition between ordered and disordered arrangements of the photoswitches is observed. We also confirm that the structural parameters of the bilayer are differently affected by the two isomers and hence can be modulated through photoswitching, offering interesting perspectives for future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Raúl Losantos
- Université Paris Cité and CNRS, ITODYS, F-75006 Paris, France.,Departamento de Química, Centro de Investigación en Síntesis Química, Universidad de La Rioja, 26006 Logroño, Spain
| | | | - Yann Bernhard
- Université de Lorraine CNRS, L2CM UMR 7053, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | - Maxime Mourer
- Université de Lorraine CNRS, L2CM UMR 7053, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | - Andreea Pasc
- Université de Lorraine CNRS, L2CM UMR 7053, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | - Antonio Monari
- Université Paris Cité and CNRS, ITODYS, F-75006 Paris, France
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Lordan R, Tsoupras A, Zabetakis I. Investigation of Platelet Aggregation in Atherosclerosis. METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (CLIFTON, N.J.) 2022; 2419:333-347. [PMID: 35237975 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1924-7_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Platelet activation and aggregation is implicated in all stages of inflammation-related atherosclerosis from the initial steps of endothelial dysfunction and plaque formation, to plaque rupture and atherothrombotic events, such as acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction, and ischemic incidences. Platelet aggregometry assays are the mainstream for evaluating and monitoring platelet reactivity in such conditions and for the investigation of prophylactic and therapeutic approaches. The most established methodology is light transmittance aggregometry (LTA). Here we describe the appropriate preparation of platelet suspensions from human blood and the methodology of LTA-based assays that is used for basic and clinical research for monitoring and evaluating the activities of several thrombotic mediators, as well as determining the dose efficacy and safety of several pharmaceutical and nutraceutical compounds intended for therapeutic and prophylactic interventions for atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronan Lordan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Alexandros Tsoupras
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Ioannis Zabetakis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
- Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
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Albadawi DAI, Ravishankar D, Vallance TM, Patel K, Osborn HMI, Vaiyapuri S. Impacts of Commonly Used Edible Plants on the Modulation of Platelet Function. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:605. [PMID: 35054793 PMCID: PMC8775512 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a primary cause of deaths worldwide. Thrombotic diseases, specifically stroke and coronary heart diseases, account for around 85% of CVDs-induced deaths. Platelets (small circulating blood cells) are responsible for the prevention of excessive bleeding upon vascular injury, through blood clotting (haemostasis). However, unnecessary activation of platelets under pathological conditions, such as upon the rupture of atherosclerotic plaques, results in thrombus formation (thrombosis), which can cause life threatening conditions such as stroke or heart attack. Therefore, antiplatelet medications are usually prescribed for people who are at a high risk of thrombotic diseases. The currently used antiplatelet drugs are associated with major side effects such as excessive bleeding, and some patients are resistant to these drugs. Therefore, numerous studies have been conducted to develop new antiplatelet agents and notably, to establish the relationship between edible plants, specifically fruits, vegetables and spices, and cardiovascular health. Indeed, healthy and balanced diets have proven to be effective for the prevention of CVDs in diverse settings. A high intake of fruits and vegetables in regular diet is associated with lower risks for stroke and coronary heart diseases because of their plethora of phytochemical constituents. In this review, we discuss the impacts of commonly used selected edible plants (specifically vegetables, fruits and spices) and/or their isolated compounds on the modulation of platelet function, haemostasis and thrombosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina A. I. Albadawi
- School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6UB, UK; (D.A.I.A.); (D.R.); (T.M.V.)
| | - Divyashree Ravishankar
- School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6UB, UK; (D.A.I.A.); (D.R.); (T.M.V.)
| | - Thomas M. Vallance
- School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6UB, UK; (D.A.I.A.); (D.R.); (T.M.V.)
| | - Ketan Patel
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6UB, UK;
| | - Helen M. I. Osborn
- School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6UB, UK; (D.A.I.A.); (D.R.); (T.M.V.)
| | - Sakthivel Vaiyapuri
- School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6UB, UK; (D.A.I.A.); (D.R.); (T.M.V.)
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Losantos R, Pasc A, Monari A. Don't help them to bury the light. The interplay between intersystem crossing and hydrogen transfer in photoexcited curcumin revealed by surface-hopping dynamics. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:24757-24764. [PMID: 34713880 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp03617c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Curcumin is a natural compound extracted from turmeric (Curcuma longa), which has shown remarkable anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and possibly anticancer properties. The intense absorption in the visible domain and the possibility of intersystem crossing make curcumin attractive also for photodynamic therapy purposes. In the present contribution, we unravel, thanks to non-adiabatic surface hopping dynamics, the interplay between intersystem crossing and hydrogen transfer in the enol form, i.e. the most stable tautomer of curcumin. Most notably, we show that while hydrogen transfer is ultrafast and happens in the sub-ps regime, intersystem crossing is still present, as shown by the non-negligible population of the triplet state manifold after 2 ps. Hence, while the hydrogen transfer channel can act as a deactivating channel, curcumin, also in the red-shifted absorption enol form, can still be regarded as potentially favorable for photodynamic therapy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul Losantos
- Université de Lorraine and CNRS, UMR 7019 LPCT, F-54000 Nancy, France. .,Université de Lorraine and CNRS, UMR 7053 L2CM, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | - Andreea Pasc
- Université de Lorraine and CNRS, UMR 7053 L2CM, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | - Antonio Monari
- Université de Lorraine and CNRS, UMR 7019 LPCT, F-54000 Nancy, France. .,Université de Paris and CNRS, Itodys, F-75006 Paris, France
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Losantos R, Pecourneau J, Mourer M, Parant S, Pasc A, Monari A. trans-cis Photoisomerization of a biomimetic cyclocurcumin analogue rationalized by molecular modelling. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:12842-12849. [PMID: 34060574 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp01224j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cyclocurcumin is a natural compound extracted from turmeric and showing, in addition to antiinfective, antibacterial, and intinflammatory capabilities, solvent-dependent phtoswitching ability. The solvent-dependent photochemistry of cyclocurcumin has been rationalized on the basis of a competition between π-π* and n-π* states. Recently we have reported the synthesis of a biomimetic analogue showing enhanced photochemical properties and in particular presenting photoswitching capacity in various media. In the present contribution we rely on the use of molecular modeling and simulation, incuding density functional and wavefunction based methods to explore the excited states potential energy surface landscape. We see that the addition of a carbon-carbon double bond to the core of the natural compounds favors the population of the π-π* state, whatever the choice of the solvent, and hence leads to photoisomerisation, with fluorescence reduced to only a minor channel, rationalizing the experimental observations. In addition, the two photon absorption cross section is also strongly increased compared to the parent compound, paving the way to the use in biologically oriented applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Losantos
- Université de Lorraine and CNRS, LPCT UMR 7019, Bvd des Aiguillettes, F-54506 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France. and Université de Lorraine and CNRS, L2CM UMR 7053, Bvd des Aiguillettes, F-54506 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Jérémy Pecourneau
- Université de Lorraine and CNRS, L2CM UMR 7053, Bvd des Aiguillettes, F-54506 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Maxime Mourer
- Université de Lorraine and CNRS, L2CM UMR 7053, Bvd des Aiguillettes, F-54506 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Stéphane Parant
- Université de Lorraine and CNRS, L2CM UMR 7053, Bvd des Aiguillettes, F-54506 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Andreea Pasc
- Université de Lorraine and CNRS, L2CM UMR 7053, Bvd des Aiguillettes, F-54506 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Antonio Monari
- Université de Lorraine and CNRS, LPCT UMR 7019, Bvd des Aiguillettes, F-54506 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
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