Curcumin Loaded Nanoliposomes Localization by Nanoscale Characterization

Abstract

Curcumin is a hydrophobic drug gaining growing attention because of its high availability, its innocuity, and its anticancer, antitumoral, and antioxidative activity. However, its poor ‎‎bioavailability in the human body, caused by its low aqueous solubility and fast degradation, ‎‎presents a big hurdle for its oral administration. Here, we used nano-vesicles made of ‎‎phospholipids to carry and protect curcumin in its membrane. Various curcumin amounts were ‎‎encapsulated in the produced phospholipid system to form drug-loaded liposomes. ‎Curcumin’s ‎concentration was evaluated using UV-visible measurements. The maximal ‎amount of curcumin ‎that could be added to liposomes was assessed. Nuclear magnetic ‎resonance (NMR) analyses ‎were used to determine curcumin’s interactions and localization ‎within the phospholipid ‎membrane of the liposomes. X-ray scattering (SAXS) and atomic ‎force microscopy (AFM) ‎experiments were performed to characterize the membrane structure ‎and organization, as well as its ‎mechanical properties at the nanoscale. Conservation of the membrane’s properties is found with ‎the addition of curcumin in various ‎amounts before saturation, allowing the preparation of a ‎defined nanocarrier with desired ‎amounts of the drug.

Protein Biocargo and Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Tomato Fruit-Derived Nanovesicles Separated by Density Gradient Ultracentrifugation and Loaded with Curcumin

“…Two main strategies are described for loading curcumins into EVs or PDNVs: curcumin-encapsulated/loaded and curcumin-primed vesicles [ 36 ]. Curcumin-primed EVs were obtained by isolating them from the cells which have been treated with curcumin beforehand [ 37 , 38 ], while curcumin-encapsulated or curcumin-loaded vesicles are prepared by loading curcumin onto the vesicles after they have been isolated [ 39 , 40 ]. The anti-oxidative, anticancer and anti-inflammatory impacts of both formulations have been confirmed by a number of in vitro and in vivo studies.…”

Nano-traditional Chinese medicine: a promising strategy and its recent advances

“…25 As an ideal nanocarrier, liposomes have some desirable attributes. Firstly, they can improve the solubility and stability of hydrophobic TCM components, such as curcumin, 55 genistein, 56 and vincristine. 57 Curcumin is sensitive to light, heat and oxidation, and exhibits less solubility in water (o1 mg mL À1 ); these properties have limited its clinic applications and led to low bioavailability.…”

Functionalized liposomes for targeted breast cancer drug delivery

“…Another advantage of liposomes is their ability to encapsulate hydrophilic, lipophilic, and amphiphilic compounds within their aqueous center and/or lipid bilayers ( Fig. 2 ) [ 53 , 54 ].

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