Commercial Curcumin Research Articles

Progressive strategies for active agent immobilization within nano-polymer matrices and revisiting free substrate measurement

After detailed optimization work, the molecular imprinting polymer technique was successfully applied for precipitation polymerization using methacrylic acid (MAA) as a functional monomer, commercial curcumin (CUR) as a template, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a crosslinker, ethanol/water mixture as a porogenic solvent, and ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator. In this study, placing the active ingredient in the inner parts of the polymer matrix by molecular imprinted method, without defined expensive and complex encapsulation processes and only by developing the formulation was successful. The position of CUR in the polymer matrix with the presented fluorescent microscope image was clarified. In addition to increasing the yield to 100% by using the appropriate formulation, 100% binding also was obtained for both molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and non-imprinted polymers (NIPs) as a result of the porogen used in the polymerization process and the used rebinding solvent (in the loading process).The reliability of the characterization results of the supernatant obtained after centrifugation in the bonding process between the active substance and the polymer, with valid visual photographs as proof was also confirmed.

Curcumin extraction from turmeric plant using magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles

Objectives: In this study, it was aimed to obtain curcumin from the extracts of the turmeric plant by using a simple and fast magnetic separation method, unlike other standard methods. Materials and methods: Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) were prepared by chemical co-precipitation of Fe3+ and Fe2+ ions. Magnetic nanoparticles were used to extract curcumin from turmeric. In addition, curcumin was characterized and compared with commercial curcumin. Curcumin was recovered by purifying it from extracts of the turmeric plant. Results: Fe3O4 nanoparticles were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and Ultraviolet (UV)-visible spectra. Transmission electron microscopy analysis was used to describe the particle size and surface morphology of Fe3O4 nanoparticles, and the XRD device was used to explain X-ray diffraction. Curcumin was extracted from turmeric plant extracts purified with Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was used to determine the functional groups in the structure of turmeric, Fe3O4 nanoparticles, Fe3O4 turmeric complex, commercial curcumin, and curcumin. The UV spectrum of commercial curcumin and curcumin was also examined using the Shimadzu UV-1700 Pharma spectrophotometer. It has been established that it is recovered with a purification yield of 1.5 percent following purification. Conclusion: These results suggest that curcumin, which has research potential in the field of health, may also be beneficial in terms of creating different scientific and economic expansions and producing new studies.

Shedding light on curcumin stability

The stability of molecular curcumin (purcumin, 1a) in solution is strongly light-dependent. Under laboratory artificial light, a relative stability is observed only at neutral pH, while more intense light and/or solar light can trigger degradation via a combination of hydrolytic and oxidative fragmentation of the heptadiendione moiety. Minor curcuminoids in commercial curcumin (purcuminoids) can improve the stability of molecular curcumin, but only under conditions of low irradiation. While confirming earlier observations alerting to the instability of purcumin, our results provide new rationales for unexplained differences between previous studies, question the biological relevance of a non-enzymatic degradation for the bioactivity profiles that have been reported for purcumin, and highlight the need of a better characterization of the degradation of purcuminoids under visible light irradiation.

Potential In Vitro Inhibition of Selected Plant Extracts against SARS-CoV-2 Chymotripsin-Like Protease (3CLPro) Activity.

Antiviral treatments inhibiting Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) replication may represent a strategy complementary to vaccination to fight the ongoing Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Molecules or extracts inhibiting the SARS-CoV-2 chymotripsin-like protease (3CLPro) could contribute to reducing or suppressing SARS-CoV-2 replication. Using a targeted approach, we identified 17 plant products that are included in current and traditional cuisines as promising inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 3CLPro activity. Methanolic extracts were evaluated in vitro for inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 3CLPro activity using a quenched fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay. Extracts from turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizomes, mustard (Brassica nigra) seeds, and wall rocket (Diplotaxis erucoides subsp. erucoides) at 500 µg mL−1 displayed significant inhibition of the 3CLPro activity, resulting in residual protease activities of 0.0%, 9.4%, and 14.9%, respectively. Using different extract concentrations, an IC50 value of 15.74 µg mL−1 was calculated for turmeric extract. Commercial curcumin inhibited the 3CLPro activity, but did not fully account for the inhibitory effect of turmeric rhizomes extracts, suggesting that other components of the turmeric extract must also play a main role in inhibiting the 3CLPro activity. Sinigrin, a major glucosinolate present in mustard seeds and wall rocket, did not have relevant 3CLPro inhibitory activity; however, its hydrolysis product allyl isothiocyanate had an IC50 value of 41.43 µg mL−1. The current study identifies plant extracts and molecules that can be of interest in the search for treatments against COVID-19, acting as a basis for future chemical, in vivo, and clinical trials.

Structure and morphological studies of curcuminoids and curcuminoid mixture

Turmeric and commercial curcumin contains curcumin, desmethoxycurcumin and bisdesmethoxycurcumin as major components and they exhibit potential biological applications. Controlled crystallization of curcuminioids could lead to formation of new polymorphs/with different morphological features. In this report the structure and morphological changes taking place during the crystallization of curcuminoid mixture as well as individual curcuminoid polymorphs at different temperatures have been reported. The samples have been characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, 1H and 13C NMR and scanning electron microscopy. Our results show that curcumin exhibit polymorphs of which curcumin form 1 (monoclinic crystal system) has rod like morphology while curcumin form 2 (orthorhombic crystal system) shows sheet like morphology. Desmethoxycurcumin and bisdesmethoxycurcumin does not exhibit polymorphism and possess spherical shape and irregular morphology respectively.

Impregnation of Curcumin into a Biodegradable (Poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid, PLGA) Support, to Transfer Its Well Known In Vitro Effect to an In Vivo Prostate Cancer Model.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers in older men and is associated with high mortality. Despite advances in screening for early detection of PCa, a large proportion of patients continue to be diagnosed with metastatic disease, with ~20% of men showing a high tumor grade and stage. Medicinal plant extracts have a great potential to prevent/treat PCa, as well as to reduce its incidence/prevalence and improve survival rates. One of the most promising extracts is curcumin, which is a major, nontoxic, bioactive compound of Curcuma longa. Curcumin has strong antitumor activity in vitro. However, its potential beneficial in vivo affects are limited by its low intestinal absorption and rapid metabolism. In this study, curcumin was impregnated into a biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) support and characterized by FTIR and DSC, and its release by UV spectrophotometry. PLGA-curcumin was tested in different subcutaneous PCa xenograft models (PC3, 22rv1, and DU145 PCa cell-lines), and its effects evaluated by tumor progression an immuno-histochemical analysis (Trichromic, Ki67 and TUNEL stainings), were compared with those of a commercial curcumin preparation. Our results indicate that curcumin-impregnated PLGA is significantly more active (~2-fold increase) with respect to oral curcumin, which supports its use for subcutaneous administration.

Photodynamic inactivation of Listeria innocua biofilms with food-grade photosensitizers: a curcumin-rich extract of Curcuma longa vs commercial curcumin.

The aim of this work is to assess the potential of curcumin in the photosensitization of biofilms of Listeria. Biofilms of Listeria innocua, were irradiated with blue light in the presence of a curcumin-rich extract of Curcuma longa or commercial curcumin. Similar experiments were conducted with planktonic cells, for comparison. A reduction of 4·9 log in the concentration of viable biofilm cells was obtained with 3·7mgl-1 of commercial curcumin. Planktonic cells were much more susceptible (6·1 log reduction). A tetracationic porphyrin, used as a reference photosensitizer (PS), caused a very modest inactivation of the biofilm (1·1 log) and complete inactivation of the planktonic form (>8 log). Curcumin is an effective PS for the photodynamic control of Listeria biofilms and the inactivation efficiency attained with this natural compound is higher than with the porphyrin. This result may point to a better performance of type I PSs against bacterial biofilms by circumventing the limitations to singlet-oxygen diffusion imposed by the extracellular matrix. Curcumin represents a promising alternative to the control of bacteria and bacterial biofilms in food products particularly in the case of meat products in which turmeric is used as spice.

Curcumin bioactive nanosizing: Increase of bioavailability

Curcumin is a natural compound existing in Curcuma longa Linn, featuring great medicinal activity, including antitumor, and playing a role in the battle against Alzheimeŕs disease. However, it has low solubility and consequently its bioavailability is limited in aqueous medium. For such, several studies in the nanotechnology field are being performed aiming the improvement of its solubility. Nanotechnology is an important branch of materials engineering with several studies focused on making feasible formulations and drug or bioactive substance delivery systems. In this study curcumin nanoparticles were obtained by two methods and using two solvents, which were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), solubility test, and stability tests by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Zeta potential analyses. DLS and AFM results evidence that particles were obtained in nanometric scale. Zeta potential shows stable nanoparticles in aqueous medium for 24 months. FTIR results point out that nanoparticles obtained have the same chemical features of commercial curcumin. Solubility trials show an increase of over 30 times in nanoparticle solubility, without polymer conjugation. Hence, the processes used to obtain curcumin nanoparticles may allow the use of this substance in clinical trials.

Antiparasitic efficacy of commercial curcumin against Ichthyophthirius multifiliis in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)

Ichthyophthiriasis, caused by Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, is a prevalent parasitic disease in freshwater fish, it leads to a significant economic loss in fish farming industry. Following the ban of malachite green in usage of treating food fish, new antiparasitic agents for the treatment of ichthyophthiriasis is being studied. The aims of the present study were to investigate in vitro and in vivo antiparasitic efficacy of a commercial curcumin against I. multifiliis and evaluate its acute toxicity in grass carp. In vitro tests, curcumin killed all theronts at 1mg/L for 38.7min, caused 100.0% mortality of nonencysted tomonts at 8mg/L for 47.3min, and terminated the reproduction of encysted tomonts at 4mg/L for 16h, respectively. In vivo trials, curcumin at 4mg/L for 10days exposure eradicated all parasitic trophonts in situ, and protected both infected and naive fish from I. multifiliis infections. The results of in vitro and in vivo experiments proved curcumin to be effective against the parasite. The 96h median lethal concentration (LC50) of curcumin to grass carp (58.5mg/L) was about 146.3 times median effective concentration (EC50) of curcumin to theronts (0.4mg/L), and 18.9 times EC50 of curcumin to nonencysted tomonts (3.1mg/L). Therefore, the commercially available curcumin can be used as a potential lead compound for the development of commercial drugs against I. multifiliis.

Improving antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of curcumin by means of encapsulation in gelatin through electrohydrodynamic atomization

Curcumin is a polyphenol with a wide range of biological properties, including antioxidant and antimicrobial activity; however, its use as a food preservative is limited because of its insolubility in water. The present work is an attempt to overcome this problem by means of matrix encapsulation of curcumin in gelatin through electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA). Compact spherical gelatin particles ranging from few nanometers to more than 1 μm in diameter loaded with 10% (w/w) curcumin were successfully obtained, and the encapsulation efficiency being close to 100%. Fluorescence microscopy indicated that the curcumin was homogeneously distributed in the particles, while modulated differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed that the curcumin was intimately mixed with gelatin polymer, and a complete loss of curcumin crystallinity was observed in the solid dispersion. Furthermore, the UV–visible spectrum of dissolved/dispersed particles showed a shift of the maximum absorbance of curcumin toward lower wavelengths, indicating gelatin–curcumin interactions. The water solubility of curcumin increased 38.6-fold after it had been encapsulated in gelatin microparticles. With regard to antioxidant properties, they increased when blended with gelatin compared with commercial curcumin powder. Although antibacterial activity of raw curcumin was negligible at concentrations up to 100 mg/ml, gelatin-encapsulated curcumin at 4 mg/ml reduced the microbial population by 2.08, 1.67, 2.70, and 2.18 log counts (CFU/ml) for L. monocytogenes, S. enterica, S. aureus, and E. coli, respectively. Accordingly, it was proved that encapsulation of curcumin in gelatin particles by EHDA greatly improved its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, thus broadening its potential use as a food preservative.

Study the release kinetics of curcumin released from PVA/curcumin composites and its evaluation towards hepatocarcinoma

The polymer composites based on Polyvinyl alcohol loaded with different concentrations of commercial curcumin were prepared to be applied forcontrolled release drug delivery system to overcome the growth promotion of tumor cells.The prepared composites were subjected to drug release in aqueous media at room temperature. It was found that the amount of the released curcumin changed according to different pHmedia and the concentration of theloaded drug onto the polymer carrier. The diffusion coefficient of the released curcumin from the prepared composites was found to be 2.739X10-2, 1.638X10-2, and 5.777X10-4 in basic, acidic and neutral solution respectively according to Higuch's equation. The results of the in/vitro cytotoxic activity of the released curcumin showed sustained antiproliferative potency up to 30 % growth inhibition against the human liver cancer cell line (HEPG2) which extended to 25 days.

Curcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin and dimethoxycurcumin complexed with cyclodextrins have structure specific effect on the paracellular integrity of lung epithelia in vitro

The phytochemical curcumin may improve translocation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulatory (CFTR) protein in lung epithelium and therefore be helpful in the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) symptoms. However, previous studies often use commercial curcumin that is a combination of curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin which could affect the investigated cells differently. In the present study, we investigated the potential difference between curcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin and dimethoxycurcumin on the epithelial tight junction complex, in the bronchial epithelial cell line VA10, by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TER), immunofluorescence and western blotting of tight junction proteins. The curcuminoids were complexed with hydroxypropyl-γ–cyclodextrin for increased solubility and stability. Curcumin (10µg/ml) increased the TER significantly after 24h of treatment while four times higher concentration of bisdemethoxycurcumin was required to obtain similar increase in TER as curcumin. Interestingly, dimethoxycurcumin did not increase TER. Curcumin clearly affected the F-actin structures both apically and basolaterally. These results begin to define possible effects of curcuminoids on healthy bronchial epithelia and shows that difference in the phenyl moiety structure of the curcuminoids influences the paracellular epithelial integrity.

Preparation of Nano-curcumin with Enhanced Dissolution Using Ultrasonic-Assisted Supercritical Anti-solvent Technique

Abstract Curcumin is the main gradient of “Turmeric” a famous Indian spice and food additive. The marvelous nutritional and medicinal effects of curcumin made it a good alternative to some conventional drugs and food flavoring or coloring materials. However, the low solubility of curcumin is a challenging hindrance which should be seriously addressed. In this work, we prepared nano-curcumin with enhanced aqueous dispersion and dissolution rate. Ultrasonic-assisted supercritical anti-solvent (UA-SAS) technique was used to convert the commercial curcumin to uniform distributed nano-particles with the average size of 20 nm and yielding of 65%. The effect of process parameters including pressure, temperature, solution flow rate, and nature of organic solvent on the average particle size and yielding of products was investigated. The morphology, size, and crystalline pattern of processed curcumin particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, mean particle size analyzer, and X-ray diffraction. The champion specimen was achieved when the supercritical fluid was employed at 16 MPa and 35°C. Aqueous suspension of processed nano-curcumin can be stable for more than 2 months. In vitro dissolution experiments showed a remarkable enhancement in dissolution rate of UA-SAS-treated curcumin respecting to the commercial curcumin powder.

Therapeutic potential of curcumin and curcumin analogues in rheumatology

Therapeutic potential of curcumin and curcumin analogues in rheumatology

PH Responsive Curcumin/ ZnO Nanocomposite For Drug Delivery

Curcumin is recognized as an important natural biomaterial which has a wide range of biological importance, unfortunately it lacks in bioavailability predominantly due to its poor aqueous solubility. The intention of the present investigation was to develop a novel nanocomposite of curcumin with ZnO nanoparticle in order to improve its aqueous-phase solubility and develop its efficiency on microbes and cancer cells. Therefore, we have constructed an aqueous solvable curcumin/ZnO nanocomposite from the insoluble commercial curcumin and poorly soluble ZnO nanoparticles, consequently enhancing its biological importance. The synthesized ZnO nanoparticles, nanocurcumin, and the nanocomposite were analyzed with transmission electron microscope (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) along with spectral techniques. The calculated average particle size of ZnO nanoparticle and nanocomposite from XRD was found to be 21.44 nm and 24.66 nm respectively. The TEM image reveals that this new nanocomposite was found to have narrow particle size of 53 nm. The observed results declared that the title nanomaterials showed excellent antibacterial activity against, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. Their cytotoxicity performance against gastric cancer (AGS) cells was also carried out and observed that they showed concentration dependency. All the observed results declared that it has great potential for antibacterial and anticancer applications. The observed results of this investigation demonstrate that the present nano-conjugate can effectively deliver the antibacterial, anticancer drug curcumin towards the targeted biomolecules and hence appears to be a promising nano-formulation for chemotherapy and other biomedical applications after a series of in-vivo tests on animal models.

Bactericidal activity of curcumin I is associated with damaging of bacterial membrane.

Curcumin, an important constituent of turmeric, is known for various biological activities, primarily due to its antioxidant mechanism. The present study focused on the antibacterial activity of curcumin I, a significant component of commercial curcumin, against four genera of bacteria, including those that are Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). These represent prominent human pathogens, particularly in hospital settings. Our study shows the strong antibacterial potential of curcumin I against all the tested bacteria from Gram-positive as well as Gram-negative groups. The integrity of the bacterial membrane was checked using two differential permeabilization indicating fluorescent probes, namely, propidium iodide and calcein. Both the membrane permeabilization assays confirmed membrane leakage in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria on exposure to curcumin I. In addition, scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy were employed to confirm the membrane damages in bacterial cells on exposure to curcumin I. The present study confirms the broad-spectrum antibacterial nature of curcumin I, and its membrane damaging property. Findings from this study could provide impetus for further research on curcumin I regarding its antibiotic potential against rapidly emerging bacterial pathogens.

Encapsulation of curcumin in electrosprayed gelatin microspheres enhances its bioaccessibility and widens its uses in food applications

Abstract Curcumin has uses as a food colorant and functional ingredient, these uses being restrained owing to its low solubility in water, which limits its dispersion in food matrices and its bioaccessibility. Curcumin–gelatin microparticles produced by electrohydrodynamic atomization were developed to overcome these problems. Microparticles with a size up to 1.2 μm in diameter, in which curcumin was in the amorphous state, were obtained. Both curcumin water solubility and bioaccessibility were significantly improved by encapsulation (38.6 and 11.3-fold higher than commercial curcumin, respectively). A gellified fish product was used to evaluate the coloring capacity of microencapsulated curcumin, finding a better dispersion for microencapsulated curcumin than for commercial one. However, curcumin bioaccessibility was similar owing to curcumin solubilization into the protein matrix. In spite of this, a protective effect of curcumin was observed, as the antioxidant activity of the bioaccessible fraction of the gel supplemented with microencapsulated curcumin was higher. Industrial relevance Curcumin is a potential natural food coloring and functional ingredient which impairs an attractive yellowish-orange color to food and possesses a wide range of biological activities. However its use in food is restrained owing to its low solubility in water. Curcumin encapsulation using a soluble polymer is a promising strategy to widen the use of curcumin as an ingredient in the food industry.

Pharmacokinetic Study of Nanoparticulate Curcumin: Oral Formulation for Enhanced Bioavailability

Curcumin, a bioactive component of turmeric, which is a commonly used spice and nutritional supplement, is isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa Linn. (Zingiberaceae). In recent years, the potential pharmacological actions of Curcumin in inflammatory disorders, cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and neurological disorders have been shown. However, the clinical application of Curcumin is severely limited by its main drawbacks such as instability, low solubility, poor bioavailability and rapid metabolism. Multifarious nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems for Curcumin including liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, micelles, nanogels, nanoemulsions, complexes and dendrimer/dimer, have been attempted to enhance the oral bioavailability, biological activity or tissue-targeting ability of Curcumin. We attempted the nanosuspensions based delivery of curcumin. Nanonisation renders curcumin completely dispersible in aqueous media. To enhance the curcumin absorption by oral administration, nanoparticulate solid oral formulation of curcumin was prepared by us and the resulting capsule was then examined for its efficiency on bioavailability in Male Wistar rats at a dose of 100 mg curcumin/kg body weight and the pharmacokinetic parameters were compared to those of normal curcumin powder and a commercial curcumin capsule CUR-500. The bio-distribution of curcumin in organs of rat was also studied. Nanoparticulation significantly raised the curcumin concentration in selective organs in the body. The results obtained provide promising results for nanoparticulate Curcumin to improve its biological activities. Enhanced bioavailability of curcumin in the form of nanoparticle is likely to bring this promising natural product to the forefront of therapeutic agents for treatment of human disease. The available information also strongly suggests that nano-formulation of ingredients such as curcumin may be used as a novel nutrient delivery system too.

Ruthenium–Arene Complexes of Curcumin: X-Ray and Density Functional Theory Structure, Synthesis, and Spectroscopic Characterization, in Vitro Antitumor Activity, and DNA Docking Studies of (p-Cymene)Ru(curcuminato)chloro

The in vitro antiproliferative activity of the title compound on five tumor cell lines shows preference for the colon-rectal tumor HCT116, IC(50) = 13.98 μM, followed by breast MCF7 (19.58 μM) and ovarian A2780 (23.38 μM) cell lines; human glioblastoma U-87 and lung carcinoma A549 are less sensitive. A commercial curcumin reagent, also containing demethoxy and bis-demethoxy curcumin, was used to synthesize the title compound, and so (p-cymene)Ru(demethoxy-curcuminato)chloro was also isolated and chemically characterized. The crystal structure of the title compound shows (1) the chlorine atom linking two neighboring complexes through H-bonds with two O(hydroxyl), forming an infinite two-step network; (2) significant twist in the curcuminato, 20° between the planes of the two phenyl rings. This was also seen in the docking of the Ru-complex onto a rich guanine B-DNA decamer, where a Ru-N7(guanine) interaction is detected. This Ru-N7(guanine) interaction is also seen with ESI-MS on a Ru-complex-guanosine derivative.

Comparison of Efficacy of Turmeric and Commercial Curcumin in Immunological Functions and Gene Regulation

Comparison of Efficacy of Turmeric and Commercial Curcumin in Immunological Functions and Gene Regulation