Nutraceutical Value of Pure Curcumin

Cellulose- and Saccharide-Based Orally Dispersible Thin Films Transform the Solid States and Dissolution Characteristics of Poorly Soluble Curcumin

This study aimed at developing and optimizing the orally dispersible thin film (ODTF) containing a plant-derived drug-curcumin (CUR). CUR belongs to a biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) class IV compound that requires improving its water solubility and tissue permeability preceding formulation. An ODTF was applied to produce a solid dispersion matrix for CUR to resolve such solubility and permeability problems. The film-forming polymers used in the study were cellulose-based (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose/HPMC and carboxymethylcellulose/CMC) and saccharide-based maltodextrin (MDX). Poloxamer (POL) was also employed as surfactant and solubilizer. The solvent casting technique was applied to produce the films. The ethanolic solution of CUR was mixed with an aqueous solution of POLs and then incorporated into different film-forming polymers prior to casting. The processing of the CUR with POL solution was intended to aid in the even dispersion of the drug in the polymeric matrices and enhance the wettability of the films. The physical state and properties of the films were characterized in terms of their morphology, crystallinity of the drug, and phase miscibility of the mixtures. The dissolution profile of the films was also evaluated in terms of dissolution rate and dissolution efficiency. The obtained ODTF products were smooth and flat-surfaced. Physical characterization also indicated that the CUR was homogeneously dispersed in the ODTFs and no longer existed as crystalline material as revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The CUR was also not phase-separated from the films as disclosed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Such dispersion was achieved through the solubilizing effect of POLs and compact polymeric film matrices that prevented the CUR from recrystallization. Furthermore, the ODTFs also improved the dissolution of CUR by 3.2-fold higher than the raw CUR. Overall, cellulose-based films had favorable physical properties compared with saccharide-based films.

Curcumin in Combination with Other Adjunct Therapies for Brain Tumor Treatment: Existing Knowledge and Blueprint for Future Research

Malignant brain tumors proliferate aggressively and have a debilitating outcome. Surgery followed by chemo-radiotherapy has been the standard procedure of care since 2005 but issues of therapeutic toxicity and relapse still remain unaddressed. Repurposing of drugs to develop novel combinations that can augment existing treatment regimens for brain tumors is the need of the hour. Herein, we discuss studies documenting the use of curcumin as an adjuvant to conventional and alternative therapies for brain tumors. Comprehensive analysis of data suggests that curcumin together with available therapies can generate a synergistic action achieved through multiple molecular targeting, which results in simultaneous inhibition of tumor growth, and reduced treatment-induced toxicity as well as resistance. The review also highlights approaches to increase bioavailability and bioaccumulation of drugs when co-delivered with curcumin using nano-cargos. Despite substantial preclinical work on radio-chemo sensitizing effects of curcumin, to date, there is only a single clinical report on brain tumors. Based on available lab evidence, it is proposed that antibody-conjugated nano-curcumin in combination with sub-toxic doses of conventional or repurposed therapeutics should be designed and tested in clinical studies. This will increase tumor targeting, the bioavailability of the drug combination, reduce therapy resistance, and tumor recurrence through modulation of aberrant signaling cascades; thus improving clinical outcomes in brain malignancies.

Regulatory Role of Nano-Curcumin against Tartrazine-Induced Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis-Related Genes Expression, and Genotoxicity in Rats

The present study evaluates the regulatory effect of Nano-Curcumin (Nano-CUR) against tartrazine (TZ)-induced injuries on apoptosis-related gene expression (i.e., p53, CASP-3 and CASP-9), antioxidant status, and DNA damages in bone marrow in treated rats. Male rats were arbitrarily separated into five groups, and each group was comprised of 10 rats each. The 1st group served as control (G1). The 2nd group ingested 7.5 mg TZ/kg. b.w. (body weight). The 3rd group ingested Nano-CUR 1 g/kg b.w. The 4th and 5th groups were respectively administered with (1 g Nano-CUR + 7.5 mg TZ/kg. b.w.) and (2 g Nano-CUR + 7.5 mg TZ/kg. b.w.). At the end of the experiment, blood samples, livers, and kidneys were collected. Livers and kidneys were homogenized and used for the analysis of reduced glutathione, malonaldhyde, total antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxide antioxidant enzyme activities, apoptosis-related gene expression, and genotoxicity by comit test. The ingestion of TZ for 50 days resulted in significant decreases in body, and kidney weights in rats and a relative increase in the liver weight compared to control. In contrast, the ingestion of Nano-CUR with TZ remarkably upgraded the body weight and relative liver weight compared to the normal range in the control. Aditionally, TZ ingestion in rats increased the oxidative stress biomarkers lipid peroxide (LPO) and malonaldehyde (MDA) significantly, whereas it decreased the reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Similarly, the levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) significantly deteriorated in response to TZ ingestion. Moreover, the results revealed a remarkable up-regulation in the level of expression for the three examined genes, including p53, CASP-3, and CASP-9 in TZ-ingested rats compared to the control. On the other hand, the comet assay result indicates that the ingestion of TZ induced DNA damage in bone marrow. Notably, the administration of Nano-CUR protected the kidney and liver of TZ-ingested rats as evidenced by a significant elevation in all antioxidant activities of tested enzymes (i.e, SOD, GPx, and CAT), vital recovery in GSH and TAC levels, and a statistical decrease in LPO and MDA compared to TZ-ingested rats. Interestingly, the ingestion of rats with TZ modulates the observed up-regulation in the level of expression for the chosen genes, indicating the interfering role in the signaling transduction process of TZ-mediated poisoning. The results indicate that the administration of Nano-CUR may protect against TZ-induced DNA damage in bone marrow. According to the results, Nano-CUR exerted a potential protective effect against oxidative stress, DNA damage, and the up-regulation of apoptosis-related genes induced by TZ ingested to rats.

Heat/Pressure Treatment with Detergents Significantly Increases Curcumin Solubility and Stability: Its Use as an Environment-Friendly Protein Gel Stain

Curcumin, the principal curcuminoid in the food spice turmeric, is insoluble in water at room temperature. We have previously solubilized curcumin in water with the application of heat (100 °C) and found that this solubilized curcumin could be used as a gel protein stain. However, heat solubilization in water solubilized only a small fraction of the curcuminoid (1.5%), making it relatively expensive to stain one gel ($1.5-2 per gel). Heat/pressure solubilization (121 °C/15 psi) helps increase the solubility of curcumin in water to only 5%. Therefore, we ventured into increasing curcumin solubility further by using detergents (Tween 20, Tween 80, or Triton X-100) combined with heat/pressure treatment. Curcumin solubilized with Tween 20, Tween 80 or Triton X-100 stained proteins efficiently as before. We could dramatically increase the solubility of curcumin by solubilizing in detergents such that we had to dilute the solubilized curcumin 1:100 with water to stain proteins. However, we had to use the soluble curcumin (extracted with heat/pressure alone) straight without dilution. Thus, the amount of curcumin solubilized with detergents was at least 100-fold, with 0.5% Tween 80 being the most efficient. Staining can be carried out in 30 min, and sensitivity of staining is similar or better than that obtained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue (CBB). It is unnecessary to destain the gel, and excess curcumin can be discarded into the sink, unlike CBB. Curcumin solubilized in Tween 20 has been found to be stable for a period of over 4 years. Therefore, curcumin solubilized in Tween 80 or Triton X-100 can serve as an efficient nontoxic and environment-friendly protein stain. Tween 80 has been used in cough syrups to make a colloidal suspension, and also in foods. Solubilizing curcumin with Tween 80 would be a useful alternative to increase curcumin bioavailability in clinical studies.

Efficacy and safety of curcumin and its combination with boswellic acid in osteoarthritis: a comparative, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Background

The aim of this clinical trial was to assess the efficacy and safety of curcuminoid complex extract from turmeric rhizome with turmeric volatile oil (CuraMed®) and its combination with boswellic acid extract from Indian frankincense root (Curamin®) vs placebo for the treatment of 40- to 70-year-old patients with osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

The effects of CuraMed® 500-mg capsules (333 mg curcuminoids) and Curamin® 500-mg capsules (350 mg curcuminoids and 150 mg boswellic acid) taken orally three times a day for 12 weeks in 201 patients was investigated in a three-arm, parallel-group, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Primary outcome efficacy measures included OA physical function performance-based tests, the WOMAC recommended index of joint pain, morning stiffness, limitations of physical function, and the patients’ global assessment of disease severity.

Results

Favorable effects of both preparations compared to placebo were observed after only 3 months of continuous treatment. A significant effect of Curamin® compared to placebo was observed both in physical performance tests and the WOMAC joint pain index, while superior efficacy of CuraMed vs placebo was observed only in physical performance tests. The effect size compared to placebo was comparable for both treatment groups but was superior in the Curamin® group. The treatments were well tolerated.

Conclusions

Twelve-week use of curcumin complex or its combination with boswellic acid reduces pain-related symptoms in patients with OA. Curcumin in combination with boswellic acid is more effective. Combining Curcuma longa and Boswellia serrata extracts in Curamin® increases the efficacy of OA treatment presumably due to synergistic effects of curcumin and boswellic acid.

Trial registration

This trial is registered at the database www.clinicaltrials.gov. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02390349?term=EuroPharma&rank=1. Study registration number: NCT02390349.