Utilization of curcumine and nanocurcumine compounds in cancer therapy

Monitoring changes in the zeta potential and the surface charge of human glioblastoma cells and phosphatidylcholine liposomes induced by curcumin as a function of pH

Curcumin (CUR) has received worldwide attention for its beneficial effects on human health. Research report possible cytotoxic activity against various cancers, including glioblastoma. So far, little attention has been given to the binding properties of CUR to lipid membranes, which influences their electrical characteristics and can provide insight into their membrane-permeation abilities. Biophysical interactions between the polyphenol and in vitro models (liposomes and LN-18 human glioblastoma cells) were investigated by monitoring zeta potential and the membrane's surface charge as a function of pH. We focused on practical measurements and undertook a theoretical analysis of interactions in the natural cell membrane. We used the MTT assay to evaluate the viability of CUR-treated cells. Measurements performed using the Electrophoretic Light Scattering method demonstrated the dose-dependent effect of CUR on both membrane surface charge and zeta potential analyzed in vitro models. We determined theoretical parameters characterizing the cell membrane based on a quantitative description of the adsorption equilibria formed due to the binding of solution ions to the membrane of glioblastoma cells. The interaction of CUR with liposomes and human cancer cells is pH-dependent.

Chitosan-based mucoadhesive films loaded with curcumin for topical treatment of oral cancer

This study aimed to develop mucoadhesive chitosan-based films capable of enhancing the curcumin penetration into the oral mucosa to treat oral cancers. We developed three films containing medium molecular weight chitosan (190-310 KDa) and other excipients (polyvinyl alcohol, Poloxamer®407, and propylene glycol) that have proven to be compatible with each other and with curcumin in thermal analyses. The films were smooth, flexible, and precipitates free, with uniform weight and thickness, pH compatible with the oral mucosa, resistance to traction, and entrapped curcumin in a high proportion. They also exhibited necessary swelling and mucoadhesion for tissue adherence. Ex vivo penetration studies proved that the films significantly increased the penetration of curcumin into the oral mucosa compared to control, even when the mucosa was subjected to a condition of simulated salivation. Curcumin exhibited cytotoxic activity in vitro in the two head and neck cancer cell lines (FaDu, SCC-9) at doses close to those found in penetration studies with the films. When combined with radiotherapy, curcumin demonstrated superiority over single doses of radiotherapy at 4, 8, and 12 Gy. Therefore, the developed films may represent a promising alternative for the topical treatment of oral tumors.

Immunoregulatory effects of nanocurcumin in inflammatory milieu: Focus on COVID-19

The use of natural compounds, such as curcumin, to treat infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, inflammatory diseases, and various types of cancer is an active and dynamic area of research. Curcumin has a long history of use in the food industry, and there is currently a growing interest in its therapeutic applications. Numerous clinical trials have consistently shown that curcumin, a polyphenolic compound, is safe and well-tolerated even at high doses. There is no toxicity limit. However, the clinical efficacy of curcumin has been limited by its constraints. However, scientific evidence indicates that the use of adjuvants and carriers, such as nanoparticles, exosomes, micelles, and liposomes, can help overcome this limitation. The properties, functions, and human benefits of using nanocurcumin are well-supported by scientific research. Recent evidence suggests that nanocurcumin may be a beneficial therapeutic modality due to its potential to decrease gene expression and secretion of specific inflammatory biomarkers involved in the cytokinestorm seen in severe COVID-19, as well as increase lymphocyte counts. Nanocurcumin has demonstrated the ability to improve clinical manifestations and modulate immune response and inflammation in various autoinflammatory diseases. Additionally, its efficacy, affordability, and safety make it a promising replacement for residual cancer cells after tumor removal. However, further studies are necessary to evaluate the safety and efficacy of nanocurcumin as a new therapeutic in clinical trials, including appropriate dosage, frequency, and duration.

Curcumin quantification in skin and mucosa: Optimization of extraction and chromatographic method validation

Curcumin is a natural phenol found in the rhizome of Curcuma longa. It has been studied to treat several human carcinomas, such as melanomas and breast, head and neck, prostate, and ovary cancers. Here, we develop and validate a method for recovering curcumin from the skin layers and mucosa and selectively quantifying it, aiming to support permeation studies in developing topical formulations containing the natural compound. Recovery of curcumin from the stratum corneum, remaining skin, and mucosa was performed using ethanol, DMSO/ethanol, and DMSO, respectively, under mild stirring for specific periods. The separation of curcumin from the other curcuminoids, skin, and mucosa interferents was obtained using a C₁₈ column as a stationary phase. The mobile phase was composed of pH 3.0 phosphoric acid at 1.0 mmol/L and acetonitrile (47:53, v/v), which flowed at 1 mL min^-1. UV-Vis detection of curcumin was at 424 nm. The chromatographic method was selective, linear (r > 0.999), with a regression curve in the concentration range from 1.0 to 30.0 μg mL^-1, robust, precise, and accurate, with curcumin recovery rates higher than 95 ± 7 % from the mucosa, 82 ± 2 % from the stratum corneum, and 65 ± 10 % from the remaining skin. Finally, the method was successfully used in a skin permeation test performed with porcine skin and mucosa. The validated method is, therefore, suitable for the recovery and quantification of curcumin from the skin layers and mucosa, favoring the development of new topical formulations destined for these sites of administration.

Localized topical drug delivery systems for skin cancer: Current approaches and future prospects

Topical drug delivery presents a novel substitute to the conventional drug-distribution routes of oral delivery and injection. Apart from the simplicity and non-invasiveness, the skin also serves as a “reservoir” that sustains administration over a period of days. Nanocarriers provide new potential for the treatment of skin disease. The skin’s barrier function offers a considerable obstacle for the potential nanocarriers to infiltrate into the tissue. However, the barrier is partially weakened in case of damage or inflammation, as in the case of skin cancer. Nanoparticles may promote the penetration of the skin. Extensive research has been done into producing nanoparticles for topical distribution; nevertheless, relatively little progress has been achieved in transferring them to the clinic for treating skin malignancies. The prior art features the critical concepts of skin malignancies and techniques in current clinical care. The present review gives a complete viewpoint of the numerous nanoparticle technologies studied for the topical treatment of skin malignancies and outlines the hurdles that hamper its advancement from the bench to the bedside. The review also intends to give knowledge of the routes that control nanoparticle penetration into the skin and their interactions inside the tissue.

Curcumin induces apoptosis through caspase dependent pathway in human colon carcinoma cells

BACKGROUND

We investigated the apoptotic effects of curcumin in the colon carcinoma cell line SW480.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Cells were treated with 40-200 μM curcumin for 24, 48, and 72 h, and the IC₅₀ values were determined for each time interval. BrdU, caspase-3, and TUNEL staining results and the gene expression of FADD, CASP8, and CASP3 were evaluated. Curcumin treatments significantly inhibited cell proliferation and significantly induced apoptosis for 24, 48, and 72 h. The proportion of BrdU-stained cells in the control groups were 58%, 57% and 61% and 28%, 27%, and 30% in the curcumin treatment groups at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. The proportion of apoptotic cells was 28%, 29%, and 28% in the control groups and 59%, 61%, and 60% in the curcumin treatment groups at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. As expected, caspase-3 staining also revealed a higher number of apoptotic cells in curcumin treatment groups at 24, 48, and 72 h compared to controls. The proportion of Caspase-3-stained cells in the control groups were 23%, 25%, and 24% and 59%, 60%, and 62% in the curcumin treatment groups at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. To prove caspase-3 staining results, FADD, CASP8, and CASP3 gene expressions were evaluated by real-time qPCR. Unlike the immunohistochemical results, no statistically significant upregulation was found at 24 and 48 h, while relative gene expressions of FADD, CASP8, and CASP3 was significantly upregulated at 72 h. The expression level increase was 0.88-, 1.19-, and 2.11-fold for FADD, 1.25-, 1.29-, and 1.59-fold for CASP8, and 1.33-, 1.46-, and 3.00-fold for CASP3 at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that curcumin may be a potential protective or treatment agent against colon cancer; however, further studies on curcumin-rich diets and curcumin bioavailability are required.

Antioxidants with two faces toward cancer

Antioxidants are essential in preventing the formation and suppressing the activities of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species. The aim of this study was to review the role of antioxidants in cancer development or prevention. Antioxidants are believed to prevent and treat various types of malignancies. Currently, natural antioxidant compounds have been generally consumed to prevent and treat cancers. Certainly, phenolic compounds extracted from medicinal plants have opened a new prospect with respect to the prevention and treatment of cancers due to having antioxidant characteristics. However, some recently published studies have revealed that antioxidant compounds do not indicate absolute anti-tumor properties. Some antioxidants are helpful in cancer initiation and progression. Taken together, antioxidants demonstrate a two-faced nature toward cancer. However, it is required to conduct further cell culture and in vivo studies to confirm the exact role of antioxidants and then use them for efficient cancer treatments.

Curcumin in cancer therapy: A novel adjunct for combination chemotherapy with paclitaxel and alleviation of its adverse effects

Dealing with cancer is of importance due to enhanced incidence rate of this life-threatening disorder. Chemotherapy is an ideal candidate in overcoming and eradication of cancer. To date, various chemotherapeutic agents have been applied in cancer therapy and paclitaxel (PTX) is one of them. PTX is a key member of taxane family with potential anti-tumor activity against different cancers. Notably, PTX has demonstrated excellent proficiency in elimination of cancer in clinical trials. This chemotherapeutic agent is isolated from Taxus brevifolia, and is a tricyclic diterpenoid. However, resistance of cancer cells into PTX chemotherapy has endangered its efficacy. Besides, administration of PTX is associated with a number of side effects such as neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, cardiotoxicity and so on, demanding novel strategies in obviating PTX issues. Curcumin is a pharmacological compound with diverse therapeutic effects including anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and so on. In the current review, we demonstrate that curcumin, a naturally occurring nutraceutical compound is able to enhance anti-tumor activity of PTX against different cancers. Besides, curcumin administration reduces adverse effects of PTX due to its excellent pharmacological activities. These topics are discussed with an emphasis on molecular pathways to provide direction for further studies in revealing other signaling networks.