Curcumin-loaded nanocapsules: Influence of surface characteristics on technological parameters and potential antimalarial activity.

The present study aimed to develop nanocapsules (NCs) loaded with curcumin (CCM) using different coatings, comparing the effect of these coatings on physicochemical properties of NCs. NCs were prepared by interfacial deposition of performed polymer, using different polymers as coatings (P80, PEG, Chitosan and Eudragit RS100®) and then, characterized in detail by different techniques (AFM, FTIR, DSC, XRD, among others). In vitro studies were performed, evaluating the release profile, cytotoxicity and antimalarial activity of CCM-loaded NCs. Overall, all CCM-loaded NCs samples exhibited typical characteristics as nanometric size, coating-dependent zeta potential, acidic pH value, span values below 2, homogeneous morphology and CCM-distribution in pseudophases of type VI (for all of coatings). Experimental results showed that CCM remains stable in lipid-core of NCs, maintaining its physicochemical and biological properties after nanoencapsulation process. In vitro release assays showed that nanoencapsulation was an efficient strategy to controlled release of CCM and P80-coated NCs presented slowest CCM-release considering all nanoformulations tested. Still, CCM-loaded NCs presented no cytotoxic effect. Also, all CCM-loaded NCs showed a perceptible antimalarial activity independently of their coatings (anionic and cationic), with more expressive results for CS-coated NCs. In conclusion, findings for CCM-loaded NCs and their different coatings seem to be a promising strategy to improve your biological activity.

Curcumin-loaded poly(ϵ-caprolactone) lipid-core nanocapsules: Evaluation of fetal and maternal toxicity.

This study was designed to examine fetal and maternal toxicity of curcumin (CURC) loaded lipid-core nanocapsules (LNC) prepared with poly(ϵ-caprolactone) as a polymer, administered during the organogenesis period. Free CURC and CURC loaded-LNC (C-LNC) (2 mg/kg), blank LNC (B-LNC) and saline (CONTROL) were administered per oral route from the 7° to 13° gestational day (GD). Dams were evaluated daily for body weight gain, clinical signs, water and food intake. On 20° GD, dams were euthanized, organs were weighed and blood was collected for biochemical determinations. Fetal biometrics and external morphological anomalies were assessed. Also, were performed histopathological analysis of placenta and measurement of cytokines levels in placental and fetal liver tissues. All groups did not cause changes in dams during the pregnancy. Furthermore, treatments did not cause external morphological changes and delayed fetal development. Still, for histopathological analysis of placental tissue, treatments did not cause alterations in evaluated parameters. For cytokines levels, CURC and C-LNC caused a decrease in placental levels of TNF-α. Therefore, we have demonstrated that C-LNC did not cause toxicological effects (mother and fetus), in the same manner as pattern bioactive compound, proving to be a promising nutraceutical delivery system for maternal supplementation with CURC.

Curcumin-loaded lipid-core nanocapsules attenuates the immune challenge LPS-induced in rats: Neuroinflammatory and behavioral response in sickness behavior.

The purpose of current study was to evaluate the effect of curcumin (CUR) loaded lipid-core nanocapsules (CUR-LNC) treatment on neuroinflammatory and behavioral alterations in a model of sickness behavior induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats. Rats were treated with CUR-LNC and CUR daily for 14 days. After the last treatments, sickness behavior was induced with LPS. Sickness behavior LPS-induced was confirmed by behavioral tests, an increase in levels of proinflammatory cytokines, decrease in levels of IL-10, overexpression of IDO-1 and IDO-2. In conclusion, CUR-LNC treatment attenuated the neuroinflammatory and behavioral changes caused in sickness behavior model.