Improving the Anticancer Activity of Curcumin Using Nanocurcumin Dispersion in Water

Abstract

Curcumin is a highly potent, nontoxic bioactive agent found in turmeric and is known to have significant anticancer properties against different types of cancer cells. The major disadvantage associated with the use of curcumin, however, is its low systemic bioavailability due to its poor aqueous solubility. The focus of the present study was to generate nanoparticles of curcumin with improved aqueous phase solubility, and to investigate their efficacy in treating cancer cells. Curcumin nanoparticles having particle size in the range 2-40 nm and aqueous solubility of up to a maximum of 3 mg/mL were prepared. Evaluation of anticancer properties of curcumin nanodispersion was carried out in 3 different cancer cell lines: lung (A549), liver (HepG2), and skin (A431). The results demonstrated that under aqueous conditions curcumin nanoparticles exhibited similar or a much stronger antiproliferative effect on the cancer cells compared to normal curcumin in DMSO. Our results lead way toward unharnessed potential of curcumin in the form of its nanoparticles as an adjuvant therapy for clinical application in treating various cancers.

Nanoformulations of curcumin: an emerging paradigm for improved remedial application

“…In a polar medium, curcumin has the unique ability to perforate into the cell and with an excellent electron transfer capability can facilely enter into the plasma membrane of the cell. Hence, the particle size of curcumin nanoparticles demonstrated better aqueous phase solubility and having much more vigorous anticancer effect against various cancer cell lines [ 148 ]. Consequently, nano formulations of curcumin showed ameliorated therapeutic efficacy compared to bulk or native curcumin.…”

Hepato therapeutic Efficacy of Native Curcumim and Nano –curcumin : A Novel Therapy Against Hyperthyroidism Induced Liver Oxidative and Inflammatory Damage in Rats

“…Nanocurcumin was found to be more effective in its antiproliferative properties compared to native curcumin in MDA breast cancer cell lines [10]. Likewise, compared to native curcumin, curcumin nanoparticles exhibited stronger inhibitory properties against cell proliferation in lung A549, liver HepG2 and skin A431 cells [11]. PLGA nanoparticles encapsulating curcumin and amyloid-beta generating inhibitor attenuated memory deficit and neuropathology in a mice model [6].…”

Characterization of Nanoparticles Produced by Chloroform Fraction of Kaempferia Rotunda Rhizome Loaded With Alginic Acid and Chitosan and Its Biological Activity Test

“…For example, the work of Basniwal et al [22] showed reducing the particle size of curcumin in the nanometer range not only improves its aqueous phase solubility and cellular uptake but also enhances its activity as an anticancer agent. The results also showed that curcumin nanoparticles have better antibacterial activity.…”