Formulation Design and Cell Cytotoxicity of Curcumin-Loaded Liposomal Solid Gels for Anti-Hepatitis C Virus

Abstract

Backgrounds. Curcumin (CUR) is a low-molecular-weight polyphenolic substance obtained from the tuber part of Curcuma species. Anti-inflammatory and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) activities have been associated with CUR. However, its poor aqueous solubility and low systemic bioavailability have been the challenges in improving the therapeutic efficacy of curcumin. Aim. The study aimed to produce CUR-loaded liposomal solid gels as anti-HCV delivery systems. Parameters including the physical characteristics and the cell cytotoxicity properties were evaluated. Methods. The freeze-drying technique was applied to manufacture the CUR-loaded liposomal solid gels. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and differential thermal analysis (DTA) were involved to reveal the characteristics of the solid gels. Such characteristics were as follows: the morphology and the microscopic structure of the solid gels, the crystallinity structure of the curcumin, and the thermal properties of the mixtures. Furthermore, their cell cytotoxicity was investigated using a Huh7it cell line. Results. The SEM images confirmed that curcumin liposomes were intact and trapped in the solid gel matrix. The XRD data showed flat patterns diffractograms of the formulations, confirming the transformation of CUR from crystalline to amorphous form. The DTA thermograms showed a single melting endothermic peak at a higher temperature around 200°C, indicating a single-phase transition of the mixtures. The XRD and DTA data revealed the molecular dispersion of CUR in the developed formulations. The cytotoxicity data provided as cell cytotoxicity 50 (CC50) for all formulations were ≥25 mg. These data confirmed that the developed liposomal solid gels were not cytotoxic to Huh7it cell line, indicating that the anti-HCV activity would be through a specific pathway and not by its toxicity. Conclusion. The CUR-loaded liposomal solid gels exhibited the potential and offered an alternative dosage form to improve the therapeutic efficacy of curcumin as an anti-HCV.

A lyophilized surfactant-based rutin formulation with improved physical characteristics and dissolution for oral delivery

“…Fully or partially amorphous RUT could contribute in intermolecular hydrogen bonding with the hydrophilic POLs and forms a homogeneous solid dispersion mixture. This may accelerate the hydration of RUT molecules, thus, enhanced the dissolution of RUT ( Yusuf et al 2022 ). Moreover, the percentage of dissolved RUT was also increased as the RUT concentration increases in the POL matrices.…”

Microemulsion-Based Keratin–Chitosan Gel for Improvement of Skin Permeation/Retention and Activity of Curcumin

“…The XRD patterns of Cur, ME-KCS gel, the physical mixture and CME-KCS gel are shown in Figure 4A. The crystal diffraction peaks at 8.73 • , 17.16 • , 18.62 and 25.50 • were observed in the XRD patterns of pure Cur, which indicated the crystal properties of the drug [38]. The crystal diffraction peaks of Cur at 8.73 • and 17.16 • were retained in the diffraction pattern of the physical mixture, indicating that Cur still exists in the crystalline form in the physical mixture.…”

Natural Compounds as Potential Basis for the Prevention and Treatment of Hepatitis C

“…Yusuf и соавт. [61] предложили новую липосомальную форму куркумина. Это соединение, инкапсулированное в липосомы, продлевает контакт со слизистой благодаря адгезивным свойствам, что увеличивает всасываемость препарата и его биодоступность при сублингвальном использовании.…”