Exploitation of traditional healing properties, using the nanotechnology’s advantages: The case of curcumin

Abstract

Graphical abstract

The Emerging Role of Ionic Liquid-Based Approaches for Enhanced Skin Permeation of Bioactive Molecules: A Snapshot of the Past Couple of Years

“…Recent investigations focused on DTD of essential oils having healing effects due to either a dual anti-inflammatory/collagenesis-inducing action of the oil itself [ 78 ], or to a synergic antimicrobial and healing action elicited by combination of the essential oil with specific components in the lipid nanocarrier (e.g., oleic acid) [ 79 ]. Very recently, different SLNs and NLCs have been tested along with NEs for DTD of curcumin, a hydrophobic photosensitive phytomolecule, whose anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and healing properties have been known for long [ 80 ]. This study revealed that all tested NCs were efficient for photoprotection of the phytopharmaceutical, with NLCs offering the best pharmacological performance, provided the matrix fluidity was tuned for optimized skin occlusion and drug release rate [ 80 ].…”

“…Very recently, different SLNs and NLCs have been tested along with NEs for DTD of curcumin, a hydrophobic photosensitive phytomolecule, whose anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and healing properties have been known for long [ 80 ]. This study revealed that all tested NCs were efficient for photoprotection of the phytopharmaceutical, with NLCs offering the best pharmacological performance, provided the matrix fluidity was tuned for optimized skin occlusion and drug release rate [ 80 ]. In line with this, multiple benefits of SLNs/NLCs-mediated delivery of natural and synthetic antimicrobials have been advocated in the recent literature [ 81 , 82 , 83 ], including for fighting multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections [ 84 , 85 ].…”

Olive oil nanoemulsion containing curcumin: antimicrobial agent against multidrug-resistant bacteria

“…Curcuma longa L, popularly known as curcumin, turmeric, or saffron, is a plant belonging to the Zingiberaceae family, which is popularly sold as a yellowish powder, mainly from the rhizomes. It is a product widely used in cooking because it is a strong colorant and because of its medicinal activities (Liakopoulou et al 2021 ; Martins et al 2013 ; Zamarioli et al 2015 ).…”

“…Curcumin has its maximum absorption at a wavelength of 430 nm, boiling point of 183 °C, low solubility in water, low bioavailability, and reduced chemical stability, being sensitive to various conditions. Due to its low water solubility and susceptibility to factors such as pH, temperature, oxidation, and light, curcumin has limitations in its use (Liakopoulou et al 2021 ; Zamarioli et al 2015 ). It also undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism in the body due to glucuronidation and sulphation in its molecule, which produce derivatives with significantly lower biological activity, and which are more easily eliminated (Vollono et al 2019 ).…”

“…In this way, nanotechnology and its various systems are strategies for the use of these bioactives, since, after being nanoencapsulated, they result in better hydrophilicity, chemical stability, sustained release, and adequate characteristics for the industry when compared to their free form (Azami et al 2018 ; Liakopoulou et al 2021 ).…”