Background Curcumin is a natural diphenolic compound that is currently being investigated for various cancers, including ovarian cancer. Clinical application of curcumin has been limited due to its low solubility and bioavailability and rapid metabolism and degradation at physiological pH. Particle size is one factor that can affect the absorption process, which thus increases compound solubility and transport across the membrane. This study was conducted to determine the effects of modifying the particle size of curcumin on its pharmacokinetic parameters in blood and other organs. Methods Female Sprague Dawley rats were administered a single oral dose of 500 mg/kg curcumin or nanocurcumin. Blood samples were collected at 10, 15, 30, 45, 75, and 120 min, and ovaries, livers, kidneys, and colons were collected at 180 min. The levels of curcumin in plasma and organs were determined using UPLC-MS/MS, and the pharmacokinetic parameters were evaluated. Results Curcumin levels were detectable and measurable in plasma and organs of rats that were administered curcumin or nanocurcumin. Overall, no statistically significant differences were found in pharmacokinetic parameters between curcumin and nanocurcumin groups in both plasma and organs, except for ovaries. The curcumin levels in plasma, liver, kidney, and colon in the curcumin group were higher than those in the nanocurcumin group. However, curcumin concentrations in ovaries in the nanocurcumin group were 3.6 times higher than those in the curcumin group. Conclusion Particle size reduction of curcumin did not increase the concentration of curcumin in the plasma but increased its distribution in the ovaries.

Introduction:Curcumin is a polyphenolic compound that has a wide pharmacological activity, including anticancer, such as in ovarian and colorectal cancer. Curcumin has low bioavailability, due to its low absorption. Particle size is one factor that can affect the absorption process, Minimizing particle size can increase the solubility of a compound and transport across the membrane. The aim of this study was to determine the modification of particle size in pharmacokinetic profile of curcumin in plasma and its distribution in tissues. Methods: Nanocurcumin was produced from curcumin using top down method. Pharmacokinetic study was conducted using Sprague Dawley female mice, administered with single dose of curcumin and nanocurcumin of 500 mg/kgBW orally. Plasma sample were taken at 10, 15, 30, 45, 75, and 120 minutes after administration, while liver, kidney, colon and ovaries were taken at 180 minutes. Curcumin levels in plasma and tissues were analyzed using UPLC-MS/MS. Results: Particle size of nanocurcumin obtained were less than 100 nm. Curcumin were detectable and measurable in plasma, liver, kidney, colon and ovaries in both curcumin and nanocurcumin groups. Overall, there were no significant difference of pharmacokinetic parameters between curcumin and nanocurcumin in plasma, liver, kidney and colon. However, concentrations of curcumin in the ovaries were 3 times higher in nanocurcumin groups. Conclusion:Particle size reduction of curcumin does not increase the amount of curcumin in plasma but increases the distribution of curcumin in ovarian organs.