The bioavailability, metabolism and microbial modulation of curcumin-loaded nanodelivery systems

Effect of emulsifier type on camellia oil-based nanostructured lipid carriers for delivery of curcumin

In this study, a camellia oil-based nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) was developed for the delivery of curcumin (Cur). To identify suitable natural emulsifiers, the effects of three different types, including tea saponin (TS), sodium caseinate (SC), and soy lecithin (SL), on the structure, stability, and digestibility of Cur-NLCs were investigated, with Tween 80 (T80) serving as a positive control. The results showed that the absolute zeta potential of NLCs prepared with natural emulsifiers exceeded 30 mV, and their encapsulation efficiency was above 85 %. Among them, TS-Cur-NLC demonstrated good uniformity and stability after 30 days of storage at 25 °C. Meanwhile, the bioavailability of SC-Cur-NLC reached 67.48 %, showing no significant difference from that of T80-Cur-NLC (p > 0.05). This study broadens the application scope of camellia oil and provides a theoretical foundation for utilizing natural emulsifiers in the development of delivery systems for fat-soluble active substances.

Effects of colloidal delivery systems for curcumin encapsulation and delivery

The types of colloidal delivery systems impact curcumin encapsulation properties, including stability, spray-dried powder properties, business-concerned properties, and loading capacity. Therefore, it is crucial to comprehensively compare the curcumin encapsulation properties of different colloidal delivery systems. Four systems (sodium caseinate, β-cyclodextrin, liposome, soy protein isolate) were used to encapsulate curcumin. Powder characterization revealed that curcumin-loaded sodium caseinate exhibited high curcumin loading capacity (5.10 %), free radical scavenging rate (89.8 %), re-dispersibility, and transmittance of re-dispersed solution (92 %), while curcumin-loaded β-cyclodextrin demonstrated satisfactory hygroscopicity (5.3 %) and D90 particle size (215.5 nm). Stability tests indicated that curcumin-loaded sodium caseinate exhibited superior physicochemical stability except for photo stability, whereas curcumin-loaded β-cyclodextrin exhibited good photo stability. Physicochemical stability of the other two systems was unsatisfactory. In summary, curcumin encapsulation performance varied significantly among systems, with sodium caseinate emerging as a high-performance curcumin nanocarrier with potential for beverage industry applications.

Deciphering the role of liquid-liquid phase separation in sarcoma: Implications for pathogenesis and treatment

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a significant reversible and dynamic process in organisms. Cells form droplets that are distinct from membrane-bound cell organelles by phase separation to keep biochemical processes in order. Nevertheless, the pathological state of LLPS contributes to the progression of a variety of tumor-related pathogenic issues. Sarcoma is one kind of highly malignant tumor characterized by aggressive metastatic potential and resistance to conventional therapeutic agents. Despite the significant clinical relevance, research on phase separation in sarcomas currently faces several major challenges. These include the limited availability of sarcoma samples, insufficient attention from the research community, and the complex genetic heterogeneity of sarcomas. Recently, emerging evidence have elaborated the specific effects and pathways of phase separation on different sarcoma subtypes, including the effect of sarcoma fusion proteins and other physicochemical factors on phase separation. This review aims to summarize the multiple roles of phase separation in sarcoma and novel molecular inhibitors that target phase separation. These insights will broaden the understanding of the mechanisms concerning sarcoma and offer new perspectives for future therapeutic strategies.

Herbal bioactive-loaded biopolymeric formulations for wound healing applications

Recent advancements in wound healing technologies focus on incorporating herbal bioactives into biopolymeric formulations. A biocompatible matrix that promotes healing is provided by biopolymeric wound dressings. These dressings use components such as ulvan, hyaluronic acid, starch, cellulose, chitosan, alginate, gelatin, and pectin. These natural polymers assist in three crucial processes, namely, cell adhesion, proliferation, and moisture retention, all of which are necessary for effective wound repair. Curcumin, quercetin, Aloe vera, Vinca alkaloids, and Centella asiatica are some of the herbal bioactives that are included in biopolymeric formulations. They have powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities. Chitosan, cellulose, collagen, alginate, and hyaluronic acid are some of the biopolymers that have shown promise in clinical trials for wound healing. These trials have also confirmed the safety and functional performance of these materials. Their recent advancements in wound care can be understood by the increasing number of patents linked to these formulations. These innovative dressings improve healing outcomes in acute and chronic wounds while minimizing adverse effects by incorporating biopolymers with herbal bioactives in an efficient manner. This review emphasizes that the development of next-generation wound care products can be facilitated via the integration of natural materials and bioactive substances.

Synergistic effects of oleanolic acid and curcumin nanoparticles in gastric ulcer prevention

Gastric ulcers (GC) are prevalent gastrointestinal disorders with complex etiologies, including Helicobacter pylori infection and prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Curcumin (CUR), with its established anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, is limited in clinical application due to poor bioavailability. This study developed oleanolic acid-coated CUR nanoparticles (OC NPs) to enhance the efficacy of CUR in GC prevention. OC NPs were characterized by a spherical shape, demonstrating remarkable improvements in solubility and stability, maintaining structural integrity within biological systems and exhibiting excellent biocompatibility. In vitro studies showed OC NPs reduced inflammation and oxidative stress in GES-1 cells. In vivo, OC NPs effectively prevented ethanol-induced GC in mice by lowering inflammatory cytokines, while increasing antioxidant levels. Histological analysis confirmed enhanced gastric mucosal protection and reduced fibrosis and apoptosis. OC NPs demonstrated prolonged retention in the stomach, offering a targeted drug delivery system. These findings suggested OC NPs as a promising low-toxicity alternative for preventing GC.

Curcumin Ameliorated Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis While Modulating the Gut Microbiota and Serum Metabolome

Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) is the leading cause of secondary osteoporosis. Recently, the "bone-gut axis" theory has linked bone development with gut microbial diversity, community composition, and metabolites. Curcumin, a well-studied polyphenol, shows potential in mitigating bone loss and osteoporosis. Alendronate, a standard therapeutic agent for osteoporosis, serves as a positive control in this investigation. The study demonstrates the potency of curcumin in reducing bone loss and restoring bone mineral density, enhancing trabecular parameters notably through increased trabecular number, volume, and thickness and reduced bone marrow cavity size. Gut microbiome sequencing revealed that both curcumin and alendronate treatments similarly enhanced gut microbial diversity and altered microbiota composition, increasing beneficial bacteria (Akkermansia_muciniphila, Dubosiella_sp910585105, and Ruminococcus_sp910584195) while reducing harmful bacteria (Treponema_D_sp910584475 and Duncaniella_sp910584825). Furthermore, significant changes in serum levels of metabolites including raffinose, ursolic acid, spermidine, inosine, hypoxanthine, thiamine, and pantothenic acid were observed post-treatment with curcumin or alendronate. Importantly, these beneficial metabolites and microorganisms were negatively correlated with inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, curcumin holds promise for use against GIOP by modulating the gut microbiome and serum metabolome as well as reducing systemic inflammation.

Research progress on the mechanism of curcumin anti-oxidative stress based on signaling pathway

Oxidative stress refers to an imbalance between oxidative capacity and antioxidant capacity, leading to oxidative damage to proteins, lipids, and DNA, which can result in cell senescence or death. It is closely associated with the occurrence and development of various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, nephropathy, malignant tumors, neurodegenerative diseases, hypertension, diabetes, and inflammatory diseases. Curcumin is a natural polyphenol compound of β-diketone, which has a wide range of pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-oxidative stress, anti-tumor, anti-fibrosis, and hypolipidemic, demonstrating broad research and development value. It has a wide range of biological targets and can bind to various endogenous biomolecules. Additionally, it maintains the redox balance primarily by scavenging ROS, enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, inhibiting lipid peroxidation, and chelating metal ions. This paper systematically describes the antioxidative stress mechanisms of curcumin from the perspective of signaling pathways, focusing on the Keap1-Nrf2/ARE, NF-κB, NOX, MAPK and other pathways. The study also discusses potential pathway targets and the complex crosstalk among these pathways, aiming to provide insights for further research on curcumin's antioxidant mechanisms and its clinical applications.

Enhancing curcumin stability and bioavailability through chickpea protein isolate-citrus pectin conjugate emulsions: Targeted delivery and gut microecology modulation

The limited solubility, rapid metabolism, and poor bioavailability of curcumin restrict its application. In this study, we synthesized chickpea protein isolate (CPI)-citrus pectin (CP) conjugates to prepare an emulsion delivery system that enhances the stability and bioavailability of curcumin. The CPI-CP emulsion achieved a curcumin encapsulation efficiency of 86.15 %. Additionally, the stability of curcumin within CPI-CP emulsion was enhanced under conditions of thermal, UV irradiation, and oxidation. In vitro digestion demonstrated that the CPI-CP conjugates effectively preserved the interfacial film integrity during gastric digestion, facilitating targeted delivery of curcumin to the small intestine. This resulted in a substantial increase in curcumin bioavailability, from 50.60 % to 85.60 %. In vivo, the emulsion alleviated liver oxidative stress by improving antioxidant enzyme activity and promoted gut health through increased short-chain fatty acid production and modulation of gut microbiota. This research presents an effective strategy for enhancing the stability and bioavailability of curcumin and demonstrates the potential application of CPI-CP conjugates in delivery systems for bioactive substances.

Physicochemical Characterization and Oral Bioavailability of Curcumin-Phospholipid Complex Nanosuspensions Prepared Based on Microfluidic System

Background: Curcumin has been proved to have promising prospects in the fields of anti-inflammation, antibacterial, anti-oxidation, and neuroprotection. However, its poor water solubility and stability in strong acid, as well as fast metabolism, lead to low bioavailability, making it difficult to develop further. This study aimed to improve the bioavailability of curcumin by using microfluidic preparation technology. Methods: Using a self-built microfluidic system, polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 and sodium dodecyl sulfate were used as stabilizers to further prepare curcumin-phospholipid complex nanoparticles (CPC-NPs) on the basis of curcumin-phospholipid complex (CPC). The CPC-NPs were characterized and evaluated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), differential scanning caborimetry (DSC), dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Blood samples were collected from rats after oral administration of curcumin, CPC, curcumin nanoparticles (CUR-NPs), and CPC-NPs, respectively. The pharmacokinetics were analyzed by enzymatic digestion and HPLC. Results: The optimized CPC-NPs had a particle size of 71.19 ± 1.37 nm, a PDI of 0.226 ± 0.047, and a zeta potential of -38.23 ± 0.89 mV, which showed a spherical structure under TEM and good stability within 5 days at 4 °C and 25 °C. It was successfully characterized by XRD combined with DSC, indicating the integrational state of curcumin-soy lecithin and conversion to an amorphous form. The results of the pharmacokinetic study showed that the Cmax of curcumin, CUR-NPs, CPC, and CPC-NPs were 133.60 ± 28.10, 270.23 ± 125.42, 1894.43 ± 672.65, and 2163.87 ± 777.36 ng/mL, respectively; the AUC0-t of curcumin, CUR-NPs, CPC, and CPC-NPs were 936.99 ± 201.83, 1155.46 ± 340.38, 5888.79 ± 1073.32, and 9494.28 ± 1863.64 ng/mL/h. Conclusions: CPC-NPs prepared by microfluidic technology had more controllable quality than that of traditional preparation and showed superior bioavailability compared with free drug, CPC, and CUR-NPs. Pharmacodynamic evaluation of anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, and neuroprotection needs to be confirmed in follow-up studies.

A review on polysaccharide-based delivery systems for edible bioactives: pH responsive, controlled release, and emerging applications

pH changes occur during bodily lesions, presenting an opportunity for leveraging pH-responsive delivery systems as signals for a targeted response. This review explores the design and application of pH-responsive delivery systems based on natural polysaccharides for the controlled release of bioactives. The article examines the development of diverse delivery carriers, including nanoparticles, nanofibers, nanogels, core-shell carriers, hydrogels, emulsions as well as liposomes and their capacity to respond to pH variations, enabling the precise and targeted delivery of bioactives within the human body. These polysaccharide-based delivery systems can be made pH-responsive by modulating the charge of polybasic or polyacidic polysaccharides, inducing swelling of the carrier and subsequent release of the encapsulated bioactives. These pH-responsive systems show promise in stabilizing under acidic conditions for enhanced retention in the stomach during oral delivery while also enabling targeted release at low pH sites such as tumors and wounds, thereby accelerating wound healing and aiding in cancer therapy and inflammation treatment. pH can co-respond with a variety of stimuli, including temperature, enzymes and reactive oxygen species, enabling more precise responses to the microenvironment for targeted delivery. It provides solid theoretical foundations for the advancement of personalized nutrition and therapeutics through controlled and responsive release technologies.

Influence of oil phases on the digestibility and curcumin delivery properties of Pickering emulsions

Starch-based Pickering emulsions with four types of oil phases (coconut, corn, olive, and sunflower oils) were fabricated to compare their delivery properties for curcumin. The release rates of free fatty acids and the bioavailability of curcumin were investigated using an oral-gastric-intestinal in vitro digestion model. The results revealed that the emulsions prepared with corn oil exhibited the highest zero-shear viscosity (η 0 ) and infinite-shear viscosity (η ∞ ) values, indicating its superior physical stability. After 108 h of ultraviolet light irradiation at 254 nm, the emulsion with corn oil showed the highest loading rate of curcumin. In the simulated small intestinal digestion, FFA release rates for emulsions with different oil phases were: coconut (30.74 %) > sunflower (15.06 %) > corn (12.67 %) > olive (12.38 %) oils. The curcumin bioavailability was: sunflower (78.01 %) > coconut (64.56 %) > corn (54.58 %) > olive (52.51 %) oils. The curcumin bioavailability increased significantly with the increase of starch concentrations.

Lipid-based nanodelivery systems of curcumin: Recent advances, approaches, and applications

Despite its many beneficial effects, pharmaceutical applications of curcumin (CUR) are limited due to its chemical instability, low solubility/absorption and weak bioavailability. Recent advances in nanotechnology have enabled the development of CUR-loaded nanodelivery systems to tackle those issues. Within many different nanocarriers developed for CUR up to date, lipid-based nanocarriers (LBNs) are among the most extensively studied systems. LBNs such as nanoemulsions, solid lipid carriers, nanostructured phospholipid/surfactant carriers are shown to be potential delivery systems capable of improving the solubility, bioavailability, and chemical stability of CUR. The particle characteristics, stability, bioavailability, and release properties of CUR-loaded LBNs can be tailored via optimizing the formulation and processing parameters. This paper reviews the most recent studies on the development of various CUR-loaded LBNs. Approaches to the improvement of CUR bioavailability and release characteristics of LBNs are discussed. Furthermore, challenges in the development of CUR-loaded LBNs and their potential applications are presented.

Combination Nanodrug Delivery Systems Facilitate the Syncretism of Chemotherapy with Immunotherapy to Promote Cancer Treatment

Cancer has emerged as a significant threat that gravely endanger human health. Anti-tumor immunotherapy has now emerged as an important treatment for cancer. However, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment limits the antitumor immunity. The importance of the immune system in the cancer treatment process must be emphasized. Herein, two precision-targeted nanoparticles PD-L1@Cur-NPs and PD-1@AS-NPs are constructed for cancer treatment. PD-L1@Cur-NPs can precisely target tumor cells in vivo to eradicate tumor cells or induce them apoptosis. PD-1@AS-NPs can precisely target T cells in vivo to activate the T cell-mediated immune system and induce antitumor immune responses. Furthermore, these two nanoparticles have good synergistic effect and show stronger antitumor effect after combination. After treatment with the combination of two nanoparticles, the tumor volumes of C57BL/6 tumor-bearing mice are significantly reduced. Moreover, the percentage of CD8+T cells and CD4+T cells in the tumor significantly increased, and the percentage of regulatory T cells significantly decreased. The percentage of memory T cells and memory effector T cells in the spleen also significantly increased after treatment, suggesting that the antitumor immunity is activated after treatment. This study provides a new antitumor treatment strategy combining chemotherapy and immunotherapy, which has good application prospect.

Comparative Analysis of Freeze-Dried Pleurotus ostreatus Mushroom Powders on Probiotic and Harmful Bacteria and Its Bioactive Compounds

Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom) holds excellent promise worldwide, bringing several opportunities and augmenting the tool sets used in the biotechnology field, the food industry, and medicine. Our study explores the antimicrobial and probiotic growth stimulation benefits of freeze-dried P. ostreatus powders (OMP-TF, oyster mushroom powder from the total fresh sample; OMP-CSR, oyster mushroom powder from the cooked solid residue; OMP-CL, oyster mushroom powder from the cooked liquid), focusing on their bioactive compounds and associated activities. Our research examined polysaccharide fractions-specifically total glucans and α- and β-glucans-alongside secondary metabolites, including polyphenols and flavonoids, from freeze-dried mushroom powders. Additionally, carbon nanodots (CNDs) were also characterized. The growth inhibition was tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis, while the capacity for stimulating probiotic growth was evaluated using Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus casei. Evidence indicates that OMP-CL and OMP-CSR exhibit significant antimicrobial properties against S. epidermidis Gram-positive bacteria. OMP-CL notably promoted the growth of L. casei. OMP-CL, containing the most significant number of CNDs, has shown to be a valuable source for gut microbiota modulation, with its antimicrobial and probiotic-stimulating efficacy. However, further in vitro and in vivo studies should be performed to explore CNDs and their behavior in different biological systems.

The effect of maternal dietary polyphenol consumption on offspring metabolism

The early intrauterine environment of mothers during pregnancy significantly affects the metabolic health of their offspring. Existing studies suggest that poor maternal nutrition during pregnancy increases the risk of obesity or diabetes in offspring, so it is highly important to intervene during pregnancy to prevent metabolic disorders in mothers and their offspring. Polyphenols with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are found in many foods and have protective effects on obesity, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, recent evidence indicates that maternal dietary polyphenols could be a potential therapy for improving pregnancy outcomes and offspring metabolism. In this review, we discuss the studies and mechanisms of different kinds of maternal dietary polyphenols during pregnancy and lactation in improving the metabolism of offspring, analyze the limitations of the current studies, and propose possible directions of further research, which provide new ideas and directions for reducing metabolic diseases in offspring.

Curcumin and nanodelivery systems: New directions for targeted therapy and diagnosis of breast cancer

As the global incidence of breast cancer continues to surge, the pursuit of novel, low-toxicity, and highly efficacious therapeutic strategies has emerged as a pivotal research focus. Curcumin (CUR), an active constituent of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) renowned for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor properties, exhibits immense potential in breast cancer therapy. Nevertheless, CUR's poor water solubility, chemical instability, and unfavorable pharmacokinetics have impeded its clinical utilization. To address these challenges, nano-delivery systems have been extensively exploited for CUR administration, enhancing its in vivo stability and bioavailability, and facilitating precise targeting of breast cancer lesions. Therefore, we elaborate on CUR's chemical foundations, drug metabolism, and safety profile, and elucidate its potential mechanisms in breast cancer therapy, encompassing inducing apoptosis and autophagy, blocking cell cycle, inhibiting breast cancer metastasis, regulating tumor microenvironment and reversing chemotherapy resistance. The review primarily emphasizes recent advancements in CUR-based nano-delivery systems for the treatment and diagnosis of breast cancer. Liposomes, nanoparticles (encompassing polymer nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, mesoporous silica particles, metal/metal oxide nanoparticles, graphene nanomaterials, albumin nanoparticles, etc.), nanogels, and nanomicelles can serve as delivery carriers for CUR, exhibiting promising anti-breast cancer effects in both in vivo and in vitro experiments. Furthermore, nano-CUR can be integrated with fluorescence imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography imaging, ultrasound, and other techniques to achieve precise localization and diagnosis of breast cancer masses. While this article has summarized the clinical studies of nano-curcumin, it is noteworthy that the research literature on nano-CUR applied to breast cancer diagnosis and the translation of nano-CUR clinical studies in BC patients remain limited. Therefore, future research should intensify exploration in this direction.

The role of gut microbiota in MP/NP-induced toxicity

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are globally recognized as emerging environmental pollutants in various environmental media, posing potential threats to ecosystems and human health. MPs/NPs are unavoidably ingested by humans, mainly through contaminated food and drinks, impairing the gastrointestinal ecology and seriously impacting the human body. The specific role of gut microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract upon MP/NP exposure remains unknown. Given the importance of gut microbiota in metabolism, immunity, and homeostasis, this review aims to enhance our current understanding of the role of gut microbiota in MP/NP-induced toxicity. First, it discusses human exposure to MPs/NPs through the diet and MP/NP-induced adverse effects on the respiratory, digestive, neural, urinary, reproductive, and immune systems. Second, it elucidates the complex interactions between the gut microbiota and MPs/NPs. MPs/NPs can disrupt gut microbiota homeostasis, while the gut microbiota can degrade MPs/NPs. Third, it reveals the role of the gut microbiota in MP/NP-mediated systematic toxicity. MPs/NPs cause direct intestinal toxicity and indirect toxicity in other organs via regulating the gut-brain, gut-liver, and gut-lung axes. Finally, novel approaches such as dietary interventions, prebiotics, probiotics, polyphenols, engineered bacteria, microalgae, and micro/nanorobots are recommended to reduce MP/NP toxicity in humans. Overall, this review provides a theoretical basis for targeting the gut microbiota to study MP/NP toxicity and develop novel strategies for its mitigation.

Co-Assembled Binary Polyphenol Natural Products for the Prevention and Treatment of Radiation-Induced Skin Injury

Radiation therapy, a fundamental treatment for tumors, is often accompanied by radiation-induced skin injury (RISI). Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequent inflammation are two key factors in RISI development that will cause skin injury and affect radiotherapy. Herein, the co-assembled binary polyphenol natural products inspired the development of a dual-functional cascade microneedle system for prevention and treatment of RISI. Specifically, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and curcumin (CUR) were co-assembled into nanoparticles (CEPG) by intermolecular interactions and then incorporated with catalase (CAT) to achieve a cascade system in the microneedles (this microneedle system was conducive to penetrate into the epidermal keratinocytes where RISI had the greatest impact). When using microneedles, the tip dissolved rapidly and delivered CEPG and CAT into the dermis, where CEPG NPs were able to respond to ROS and decompose into EGCG and CUR. More importantly, EGCG and CAT formed a cascade that converts superoxide anions into water step-by-step, which can reduce cell damage caused by free radicals in the early stages of radiation for prevention; meanwhile, CUR inhibited inflammatory pathways, achieving the treatment of skin inflammation in the post-radiotherapy period. These explorations broaden the strategy for the application of natural products in RISI.

Enhancing cancer immunotherapy: Nanotechnology-mediated immunotherapy overcoming immunosuppression

Immunotherapy is an important cancer treatment method that offers hope for curing cancer patients. While immunotherapy has achieved initial success, a major obstacle to its widespread adoption is the inability to benefit the majority of patients. The success or failure of immunotherapy is closely linked to the tumor's immune microenvironment. Recently, there has been significant attention on strategies to regulate the tumor immune microenvironment in order to stimulate anti-tumor immune responses in cancer immunotherapy. The distinctive physical properties and design flexibility of nanomedicines have been extensively utilized to target immune cells (including tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), T cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and tumor-associated fibroblasts (TAFs)), offering promising advancements in cancer immunotherapy. In this article, we have reviewed treatment strategies aimed at targeting various immune cells to regulate the tumor immune microenvironment. The focus is on cancer immunotherapy models that are based on nanomedicines, with the goal of inducing or enhancing anti-tumor immune responses to improve immunotherapy. It is worth noting that combining cancer immunotherapy with other treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and photodynamic therapy, can maximize the therapeutic effects. Finally, we have identified the challenges that nanotechnology-mediated immunotherapy needs to overcome in order to design more effective nanosystems.

Polyvinylpyrrolidone‐functionalized graphene oxide as a nanocarrier for dual‐drug delivery of quercetin and curcumin against HeLa cancer cells

This study is to develop a nanocarrier based on polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)‐functionalized graphene oxide (GO–PVP), loaded with both curcumin (CUR) and quercetin (QSR), and then its performance compared with nanocarriers carrying the drugs separately. The study also aimed to investigate the cytotoxic effects of these nanocarriers on HeLa cancer cells. To achieve this, GO was synthesized using a modified version of Hummer's method and subsequently functionalized with PVP. Drug loading onto the GO and GO–PVP nanocarriers was achieved through hydrophobic interactions. Furthermore, the ability of the nanocarriers to accommodate a single drug or a combination of drugs was examined. In our study, combined system shows higher drug loading, that is, 28.1% of QSR and 24.34% of CUR onto GO–PVP–QSR–CUR nanocarrier in comparison to single drug nanocarrier systems GO–PVP–QSR and GO–PVP–CUR which loaded 22.5% of QSR and 18.73% of CUR, respectively. Notably, the synthesized nanocarrier exhibited a pH‐sensitive drug release pattern. These results collectively suggest that GO–PVP–CUR–QSR displayed significantly higher cytotoxicity against HeLa cancer cells compared to both single‐drug nanocarrier systems at the specified concentrations. In addition, future pre‐clinical and clinical studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of GO–PVP–CUR–QSR for cancer treatment are strongly recommended.

Highlights

Maintained particulate integrity of soy protein nanoparticles during gastrointestinal digestion via genipin crosslinking enhancing stability and bioavailability of curcumin

Poor stability during gastrointestinal digestion is a major challenge for the applications of protein-based nanoparticles as oral delivery systems. In this work, genipin was used to crosslink the partially enzymatic hydrolyzed soy protein nanoparticles, aiming to improve their performance in gastrointestinal tract as delivery carrier. Results showed that the obtained genipin-crosslinked soy protein nanoparticles (GSPNPs) were still spherically monodisperse with a diameter around 60 nm. Encapsulation with GSPNPs significantly improved the solubility of curcumin (Cur) and its stability against UV light as well as long-term storage. Compared to those un-crosslinked nanoparticles, particles crosslinked by genipin had a more compact structure less sensitive to ionic effect and digestive enzymes, showing enhanced digestion stability. The well-maintained nanoparticulate structure of GSPNPs further contributed to the enhanced bioaccessibility and facilitated absorption by epithelial cells. Furthermore, in vivo experiment on rats showed that Cur encapsulated in GSPNPs exhibited a slowed down and sustained absorption manner with an 8.11-fold improvement in its bioavailability. These suggested that GSPNPs could be a promising nanocarrier to enhance the bioavailability of functional factors.

Defining the mechanisms behind the hepatoprotective properties of curcumin

As a critical cause of human dysfunctionality, hepatic failure leads to approximately two million deaths per year and is on the rise. Considering multiple inflammatory, oxidative, and apoptotic mechanisms behind hepatotoxicity, it urges the need for finding novel multi-targeting agents. Curcumin is a phenolic compound with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic roles. Curcumin possesses auspicious health benefits and protects against several diseases with exceptional safety and tolerability. This review focused on the hepatoprotective mechanisms of curcumin. The need to develop novel delivery systems of curcumin (e.g., nanoparticles, self-micro emulsifying, lipid-based colloids, solid lipid nanoparticles, cyclodextrin inclusion, phospholipid complexes, and nanoemulsions) is also considered.

Nanoparticle delivery systems of functional substances for precision nutrition

Foodborne functional substances have received much attention for their functional benefits in health and disease. However, these substances are easily affected by the adverse environment during production, transportation, or storage. They will also be damaged by the gastric environment and limited by the mucosal barrier after entering the human body, thus affecting the bioavailability of functional substances in the body. The construction of nanoparticle delivery systems is helpful to protect the biological activity of functional substances and improve their solubility, stability, and absorption of substances. Responsive delivery systems help control the release of functional substances in specific environments and targeted sites to achieve nutritional intervention, disease prevention, and treatment. In this chapter, the main types of foodborne functional substances and their commonly used delivery systems were reviewed, and the application of delivery systems in precision nutrition was described from the aspects of environmental stimuli-responsive delivery systems, site-specific delivery systems, and disease-targeted delivery systems.

Chitosan-Integrated Curcumin-Graphene Oxide/Copper Oxide Hybrid Nanocomposites for Antibacterial and Cytotoxicity Applications

This study deals with the facile synthesis of a single-pot chemical technique for chitosan-curcumin (CUR)-based hybrid nanocomposites with nanostructured graphene oxide (GO) and copper oxide (CuO) as the antibacterial and cytotoxic drugs. The physicochemical properties of synthesized hybrid nanocomposites such as CS-GO, CS-CuO, CS-CUR-GO, and CS-CUR-GO/CuO were confirmed with various advanced tools. Moreover, the in vitro drug release profile of the CS-CUR-GO/CuO nanocomposite exhibited sustained and controlled release during different time intervals. Also, the antibacterial activity of the CS-CUR-GO/CuO hybrid nanocomposite presented the maximum bactericidal effect against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli pathogens. The hybrid nanocomposites revealed improved cytotoxicity behaviour against cultured mouse fibroblast cells (L929) via cell adhesion, DNA damage, and proliferation. Thus, the chitosan-based hybrid nanocomposites offer rich surface area, biocompatibility, high oxidative stress, and bacterial cell disruption functionalities as a potential candidate for antibacterial and cytotoxicity applications.

A Novel Coacervate Embolic Agent for Tumor Chemoembolization

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has proven effective in blocking tumor-supplied arteries and delivering localized chemotherapeutic treatment to combat tumors. However, traditional embolic TACE agents exhibit certain limitations, including insufficient chemotherapeutic drug-loading and sustained-release capabilities, non-biodegradability, susceptibility to aggregation, and unstable mechanical properties. This study introduces a novel approach to address these shortcomings by utilizing a complex coacervate as a liquid embolic agent for tumor chemoembolization. By mixing oppositely charged quaternized chitosan (QCS) and gum arabic (GA), a QCS/GA polymer complex coacervate with shear-thinning property is obtained. Furthermore, the incorporation of the contrast agent Iohexol (I) and the chemotherapeutic doxorubicin (DOX) into the coacervate leads to the development of an X-ray-opaque QCS/GA/I/DOX coacervate embolic agent capable of carrying drugs. This innovative formulation effectively embolizes the renal arteries without recanalization. More importantly, the QCS/GA/I/DOX coacervate can successfully embolize the supplying arteries of the VX2 tumors in rabbit ear and liver. Coacervates can locally release DOX to enhance its therapeutic effects, resulting in excellent antitumor efficacy. This coacervate embolic agent exhibits substantial potential for tumor chemoembolization due to its shear-thinning performance, excellent drug-loading and sustained-release capabilities, good biocompatibility, thrombogenicity, biodegradability, safe and effective embolic performance, and user-friendly application.

Self-Assembled Nanocarrier Delivery Systems for Bioactive Compounds

Although bioactive compounds (BCs) have many important functions, their applications are greatly limited due to their own defects. The development of nanocarriers (NCs) technology has gradually overcome the defects of BCs. NCs are equally important as BCs to some extent. Self-assembly (SA) methods to build NCs have many advantages than chemical methods, and SA has significant impact on the structure and function of NCs. However, the relationship among SA mechanism, structure, and function has not been given enough attention. Therefore, from the perspective of bottom-up building mechanism, the concept of SA-structure-function of NCs is emphasized to promote the development of SA-based NCs. First, the conditions and forces for occurring SA are introduced, and then the SA basis and molecular mechanism of protein, polysaccharide, and lipid are summarized. Then, varieties of the structures formed based on SA are introduced in detail. Finally, facing the defects of BCs and how to be well solved by NCs are also elaborated. This review attempts to describe the great significance of constructing artificial NCs to deliver BCs from the aspects of SA-structure-function, so as to promote the development of SA-based NCs and the wide application of BCs.

RESEARCH PROGRESS OF CURCUMIN IN THE TREATMENT OF SEPSIS

ABSTRACT

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by an unregulated host response to infection. It is an important clinical problem in acute and critical care. In recent years, with the increasing research on the epidemiology, and pathogenesis, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies of sepsis, great progress has been made in clinical practice, but there is still a lack of specific and effective treatment plans. Curcuma longa , a leafy plant of the ginger family, which is a common and safe compound, has multiple pharmacological actions, including, but not limited to, scavenging of oxygen free radicals, attenuation of inflammatory response, and antifibrotic effects. Great progress has been made in the study of sepsis-associated rodent models and in vitro cellular models. However, the evidence of curcumin in the clinical management practice of sepsis is still insufficient; hence, it is very important to systematically summarize the study of curcumin and sepsis pathogenesis.

Enhanced environmental stress resistance and functional properties of the curcumin-shellac nano-delivery system: Anti-flocculation of poly-γ-glutamic acid

Curcumin was widely designed as nanoparticles to remove application restrictions. The occurrence of flocculation is a primary factor limiting the application of the curcumin nano-delivery system. To enhance the environmental stress resistance and functional properties of shellac-curcumin nanoparticles (S-Cur-NPs), γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) was utilized as an anti-flocculant. The encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of S-Cur-NPs were also improved with γ-PGA incorporation. FTIR and XRD analysis confirmed the presence of amorphous characteristics in S-Cur-NPs and the combination of γ-PGA and shellac was driven by hydrogen bonding. The hydrophilic, thermodynamic, and surface potential of S-Cur-NPs was improved by the incorporation of γ-PGA. This contribution of γ-PGA on S-Cur-NPs effectively mitigated the flocculation occurrence during heating, storage, and in-vitro digestive treatment. Furthermore, it was revealed that γ-PGA enhanced the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of S-Cur-NPs and effectively protected the functional activity against heating, storage, and in-vitro digestion. Release studies conducted in simulated gastrointestinal fluids revealed that S-Cur-NPs have targeted intestinal release properties. Overall, the design of shellac with γ-PGA was a promising strategy to relieve the application stress of shellac and curcumin in the food industry.

Improving the Dissolution Rate and Bioavailability of Curcumin via Co-Crystallization

Curcumin (CUR) is a natural polyphenolic compound with various pharmacological activities. Low water solubility and bioavailability limit its clinical application. In this work, to improve the bioavailability of CUR, we prepared a new co-crystal of curcumin and L-carnitine (CUR-L-CN) via liquid-assisted grinding. Both CUR and L-CN have high safe dosages and have a wide range of applications in liver protection and animal nutrition. The co-crystal was fully characterized and the crystal structure was disclosed. Dissolution experiments were conducted in simulated gastric fluids (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluids (SIF). CUR-L-CN exhibited significantly faster dissolution rates than those of pure CUR. Hirshfeld surface analysis and wettability testing indicate that CUR-L-CN has a higher affinity for water and thus exhibits faster dissolution rates. Pharmacokinetic studies were performed in rats and the results showed that compared to pure CUR, CUR-L-CN exhibited 6.3-times-higher AUC0-t and 10.7-times-higher Cmax.

Curcumin@Fe/Tannic Acid Complex Nanoparticles for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a serious public health issue because of its chronic and incurable nature. Common IBD drugs have limited efficacy and produce adverse effects, leading to an urgent need to develop new drugs and drug delivery systems. Curcumin (Cur) is a natural and nontoxic drug that is increasingly used in the treatment of IBD owing to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Metal-polyphenol networks constructed from metal ions and polyphenols exhibit biological functionality while acting as an adhesive nanomaterial to encapsulate nano-Cur, thereby improving its solubility and drug release behavior. In this study, we prepared a Cur@Fe&TA nanodrug delivery system by constructing an Fe3+/tannic acid (TA) metal-polyphenol network with encapsulated Cur. The Cur@Fe&TA nanodrug exhibited good stability, drug release behavior, and biocompatibility. Based on the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Cur@Fe&TA, the gastrointestinal cytopathology in an IBD mouse model was effectively improved. The proposed Cur@Fe&TA nanomedicine delivery system has promising application and research value for the treatment of IBD by regulating levels of antioxidants and inflammatory cytokines.

Microneedle-assisted percutaneous delivery of methotrexate-loaded nanoparticles enabling sustained anti-inflammatory effects in psoriasis therapy

Methotrexate (MTX) is one of the first-line drugs used for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. However, low bioavailability and systemic side effects of traditional oral and injectable MTX greatly limit its clinical application. Delivering MTX using dissolving microneedles (MNs) into psoriasis-like skin lesion could improve the in situ therapeutic effects with higher bioavailability and less side effects. Here, we propose a novel therapeutic approach for psoriasis involving MN-assisted percutaneous delivery of chitosan-coated hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles containing MTX (MTX@HMSN/CS). The MTX@HMSN/CS-loaded MNs were strong enough to successfully penetrate the psoriasiform thickened epidermis, allowing MTX@HMSN/CS to be accurately delivered to the site of skin lesion following the rapid dissolution of MNs. MTX was then released continuously from HMSN/CS for at least one week to maintain effective therapeutic drug concentration for skin lesion with long-term anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects. Incubation with MTX@HMSN/CS not only inhibited the proliferation of human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT cells), but also significantly reduced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. In addition, MTX@HMSN/CS-loaded MNs showed better efficacy in alleviating psoriasis-like skin inflammation than MTX-loaded MNs at the same dose. Compared to psoriasiform mice treated with 15.8 μg MTX-loaded MNs every day, 47.4 μg MTX@HMSN/CS-loaded MNs reduce the frequency of treatment to once every 3 days and achieve comparable amelioration. Therefore, MTX@HMSN/CS loaded MNs are a promising treatment strategy for psoriasis due to their durability, efficacy, convenience, and safety in relieving psoriasis-like skin inflammation.

A curcumin oral delivery system based on sodium caseinate and carboxymethylpachymaran nanocomposites

The food industry has paid lots of attentions to curcumin because of its potential bioactive qualities. However, its use is severely constrained by its low bioavailability, stability and water solubility. Herein, we created sodium caseinate and carboxymethylpachymaran (CMP) nanoparticles (SMCNPs) that were loaded with curcumin. The composite nanoparticles were spherical, as characterized by SEM and TEM, the fluorescence spectroscopy, FTIR and XRD research revealed that hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interaction and electrostatic interaction were the main drivers behind the creation of the nanoparticles. The SMCNPs exhibited lower particle size, greater dispersion and higher encapsulation rate when the mass ratio of sodium caseinate to CMP was 3:5 (particle size of 166.8 nm, PDI of 0.15, and encapsulation efficiency of 88.07 %). The composite nanoparticles had good antioxidant activity, physical stability and sustained release effect on intestinal tract during the in vitro simulation experiments, successfully preventing the early release of curcumin into gastric fluid. Finally, cytotoxicity studies told that the prepared composite nanoparticles have good biocompatibility and can inhibit the growth of tumor cells (HT-29). In conclusion, using CMP and sodium caseinate as carriers in this study may open up a fresh, environmentally friendly, and long-lasting way to construct a bioactive material delivery system.

Hydroxyapatite coated titanium with curcumin and epigallocatechin gallate for orthopedic and dental applications

Titanium and its alloy are clinically used as an implant material for load-bearing applications to treat bone defects. However, the lack of biological interaction between bone tissue and implant and the risk of infection are still critical challenges in clinical orthopedics. In the current work, we have developed a novel approach by first 1) modifying the implant surface using hydroxyapatite (HA) coating to enhance bioactivity and 2) integrating curcumin and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in the coating that would induce chemopreventive and osteogenic potential and impart antibacterial properties to the implant. The study shows that curcumin and EGCG exhibit controlled and sustained release profiles in acidic and physiological environments. Curcumin and EGCG also show in vitro cytotoxicity toward osteosarcoma cells after 11 days, and the dual system shows a ~94 % reduction in bacterial growth, indicating their in vitro chemopreventive potential and antibacterial efficacy. The release of both curcumin and EGCG was found to be compatible with osteoblast cells and further promotes their growth. It shows a 3-fold enhancement in cellular viability in the dual drug-loaded implant compared to the untreated samples. These findings suggest that multifunctional HA-coated Ti6Al4V implants integrated with curcumin and EGCG could be a promising strategy for osteosarcoma inhibition and osteoblast cell growth while preventing infection.

Solvent-Free Synthesis of Multifunctional Block Copolymer and Formation of DNA and Drug Nanocarriers

The synthesis of well-defined multifunctional polymers is of great importance for the development of complex materials for biomedical applications. In the current work, novel and multi-amino-functional diblock copolymer for potential gene and drug delivery applications was successfully synthesized. A highly efficient one-step and quantitative modification of an alkyne-functional polycarbonate-based precursor was performed, yielding double hydrophilic block copolymer with densely grafted primary amine side groups. The obtained positively charged block copolymer co-associated with DNA, forming stable and biocompatible nanosized polyplexes. Furthermore, polyion complex (PIC) micelles with tunable surface charge and decorated with cell targeting moieties were obtained as a result of direct mixing in aqueous media of the multi-amino-functional block copolymer and a previously synthesized oppositely charged block copolymer bearing disaccharide end-group. The obtained well-defined nanosized PIC-micelles were loaded with the hydrophobic drug curcumin. Both types of nanoaggregates (polyplexes and PIC-micelles) were physico-chemically characterized. Moreover, initial in vitro evaluations were performed to assess the nanocarriers' potential for biomedical applications.

Antiradical and Antioxidant Activity of Compounds Containing 1,3-Dicarbonyl Moiety: An Overview

Free radicals and oxidants may cause various damages both to the lifeworld and different products. A typical solution for the prophylaxis of oxidation-caused conditions is the usage of various antioxidants. Among them, various classes are found-polyphenols, conjugated polyalkenes, and some sulfur and nitrogen derivatives. Regarding the active site in the molecules, a widely discussed group of compounds are 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds. Among them are natural (e.g., curcumin and pulvinic acids) and synthetic (e.g., 4-hydroxy coumarins, substituted Meldrum's acids) compounds. Herein, information about various compounds containing the 1,3-dicarbonyl moiety is covered, and their antiradical and antioxidant activity, depending on the structure, is discussed.