Intranasal micellar curcumin for the treatment of chronic asthma

Abstract

Curcumin is a natural phytoconstituent obtained from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa (turmeric) and is known for its diverse anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, but its clinical utility is limited by its poor aqueous solubility and rapid metabolism, which ultimately affects its bioavailability. The present study is focused on the formulation of curcumin loaded micellar dispersion for intranasal delivery for the treatment of chronic asthma. Micellar dispersion was prepared by film formation method using poly-(ethylene oxide)-block-distearoyl phosphatidyl-ethanolamine (mPEG5000-DSPE) as lipid surfactant and characterized for its physic-chemical properties. The curcumin micelles were evaluated for their anti-asthmatic action in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma model in male wistar rats against standard drug dexamethasone. The micelles showed mean particle size in the range of 20.03 nm–26.48 nm. The micellar dispersion exhibited negative zeta potential in the range of −26.22 to −25.52 mV. Incorporation of curcumin into micelles helped in enhancing the solubility of curcumin besides providing it protection against degradation. In vitro studies showed sustained relase of curcumin up to 36 h. A 14- fold increase in the bioaviability of the curcumin was measured when administered as micelles. In addition, 4.4- fold higher concentration of drug was measured in the lungs for micellar curcumin. Comparable reduction in the levels of intracellular ROS was observed for i.n. curcumin-micelles (approx.57.6%) and dexamethasone (59.3%). Also, micellar curcumin produced significant supression (p < 0.05) in the release of nitric oxide. Through the present study, we can suggest the potential application of curcumin micelles in the treatment of asthma.