Augmentation of therapeutic potential of curcumin using nanotechnology: current perspectives

Abstract

Curcumin, an active principle of Curcuma longa, is extracted from the rhizome. Its therapeutic efficiency has been proved using various in vitro and in vivo models. Inflammatory, neoplastic and preneoplastic diseases are the major targets using curcumin as therapeutic agent. Feasible clinical formulations could not be obtained because of its lack of solubility, stability and higher degradation rate. Recently, many techniques have been evolved to improve the physicochemical properties of pharmacological compounds, thereby increasing their biological activity. Curcumin has been developed using various techniques, particularly micro and nanotechnology to improve its stability and bioavailability. This review focuses on the studies pertaining to the delivery of curcumin in the form of micro and nanosize formulations for the treatment of a variety of diseases.

Nanocurcumin Modulates miR-223-3p and NF-κB Levels in the Pancreas of Rat Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome to Attenuate Autophagy Flare, Insulin Resistance and Improve ß Cell Mass

“… 62 Whereas the zeta potential analysis revealed the acceptable charge that denotes the stability of the dispersed formula, in agreement with previous studies. 63 , 64 …”

Application of Polyphenol-Loaded Nanoparticles in Food Industry

“…Curcumin also showed antidiabetic properties when curcumin–metal (ZnO) complexes were loaded with chitosan [112]. The addition of curcumin nanocapsules in food also resulted in improved functional properties (better solubility and stability, and lower degradation rate) while keeping its remarkable biological functions [121]. The study of Di Costanzo and Angelico [122] reviewed the numerous possibilities of silymarin nanoencapsulation, a mixture of flavonolignan and flavonoid polyphenolic compounds from the Silybum marianum seed, which has significant biological potential (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antiviral activities).…”

Curcuminoids: Implication for inflammation and oxidative stress in cardiovascular diseases

“…Their poor chemical stability, permeability in vivo, aqueous solubility, and high first‐pass metabolism have been indicated as the potential factors contributing to its poor bioavailability overall (Parikh, Kathawala, Song, Zhou, & Garg, ). Thus, a series of synthetic modification, phosphatidylcholine formulations, lipid complexes, solid dispersions, prodrugs, microspheres, analogues, derivatives, and nanoscale formulations, to curcumin have been intensively studied in order to develop a molecule with enhanced bioactivities (Markatou et al, ; Paradkar, Ambike, Jadhav, & Mahadik, ; Sivasami & Hemalatha, ). Currently, there are many different proposed strategies regarding synthetically improving its stability and activity; from side chain and diketone transformations to alkyl and alkenyl functionalization on C‐4, many have been reported (Gyuris et al, ) to ultimately create curcumin analogues such as C66 (Y. Wang et al, ), CA15 (J. Chen, Zhang, et al, ), A13 (Revalde et al, ), and NCB‐02 (Usharani, Mateen, Naidu, Raju, & Chandra, ).…”