Curcumin, a potent therapeutic nutraceutical and its enhanced delivery and bioaccessibility by pickering emulsions.

Abstract

Curcumin is a biomolecule with functional moieties, which contribute to its anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. It has shown several therapeutic effects on treating inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases and contributes to the reduction of oxidative stress and damage to body tissues. However, its low solubility and fast metabolism limit its absorption in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and lead to its low bioavailability. Preparation of Pickering emulsions stabilized with mineral or biopolymer-based nanoparticles can be an effective strategy for enhancing the stability of curcumin against degradation, increasing its bioaccessibility in the GI tract, and achieving its controlled release at various locations based on changes in environmental conditions. Various nanoparticles prepared from minerals, proteins, and polysaccharides show potential for stabilizing the curcumin-loaded emulsions, and their wettability can be altered through complexation and formation of hybrid nanoparticles. Stabilization of Pickering emulsions with polysaccharide-based nanoparticles and their complexes can enhance the stability of the curcumin against degradation. Moreover, various protein-based nanoparticles and their conjugated forms with other proteins or polysaccharides can enable the preparation of high internal phase Pickering emulsions (HIPEs) with concomitant higher loading and bioaccessibility of the curcumin molecule. In light of the several therapeutic properties of curcumin, this review article aims to highlight recent studies and the strategies used for the preparation of curcumin Pickering emulsions stabilized by various nanoparticles for enhancing its bioaccessibility during metabolism. These may be useful in pharmaceutical and food industries for drug development and delivery and fortification of food products with this nutraceutical component.