Oral Administration Of Curcumin Research Articles

Therapeutic Potential of Curcumin, a Bioactive Compound of Turmeric, in Prevention of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes through the Modulation of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation.

This study evaluates the anti-diabetic potential and underlying mechanisms of curcumin in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats. The rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control, negative control (diabetic group), diabetic group receiving glibenclamide (positive control group), and curcumin plus STZ (treatment group). The anti-diabetic activities of curcumin were examined at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight through physiological, biochemical, and histopathological analysis. Compared to the normal control group rats, elevated levels of glucose, creatinine, urea, triglycerides (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) and low levels of insulin were found in the negative control rats. Curcumin treatment showed a significant decrease in these parameters and an increase in insulin level as compared to negative control rats. In negative control rats, a reduced level of antioxidant enzymes and an increased level of lipid peroxidation and inflammatory marker levels were noticed. Oral administration of curcumin significantly ameliorated such changes. From histopathological findings, it was noted that diabetic rats showed changes in the kidney tissue architecture, including the infiltration of inflammatory cells, congestion, and fibrosis, while oral administration of curcumin significantly reduced these changes. Expression of IL-6 and TNF-α protein was high in diabetic rats as compared to the curcumin treatment groups. Hence, based on biochemical and histopathological findings, this study delivers a scientific suggestion that curcumin could be a suitable remedy in the management of diabetes mellitus.

Stable nanoemulsions for poorly soluble curcumin: From production to digestion response in vitro

Curcumin, a polyphenol, can induce anticancer activity depending on dose. However, oral curcumin administration is limited by its low bioavailability due to aqueous insolubility and instability against physiological conditions. This study aims at formulating nanoemulsions by phase inversion temperature to enhance curcumin loading, stability, antioxidant performance, bioaccessibility, and in vitro absorption. The selection mechanisms for oil phase (coconut oil), surfactant (polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil), co-surfactant (soy phospholipid), and aqueous phase (2 % wt citrate buffer at pH 4.5) are established. The nanoemulsions show tunable mean droplet size (26–129 nm), high curcumin loading (9.53 ± 0.49 mg/mL), polydispersity < 0.3, and ζ-potential < -26 mV. Nanoencapsulation increases curcumin photostability by 36–42 % and the antioxidant activity after 24-hour UV radiation is unchanged (P > 0.05). The curcumin nanoemulsions show ∼ 11 %, 24 %, and 57 % higher retention and ∼ 10 %, 12 %, and 17 % higher antioxidant activity than raw curcumin after 3-hour simulated gastric, intestinal, and physiological incubations, respectively. During in vitro digestion and absorption, the encapsulated curcumin shows higher bioaccessibility and absorption than free curcumin (P < 0.05). The samples are stable during 4-week storage at 4˚C and room temperature without preservatives. These findings suggest the potential to develop a nanoencapsulation strategy, particularly for an oral delivery system of oil-soluble drugs.

An Open-Label Administration of Bioavailable-Form Curcumin in Patients With Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease

BackgroundTwo preclinical studies using mouse models of Pelizeaus-Merzbacher disease (PMD) have revealed the potential therapeutic effects of curcumin. In this study, we examined the effects of curcumin in patients with PMD. MethodsWe conducted a study administering an open-label oral bioavailable form of curcumin in nine patients genetically confirmed to have PMD (five to 20 years; mean 11 years) for 12 months (low doses for two months followed by high doses for 10 months). We evaluated changes in clinical symptoms as the primary end point using two scales, Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and the PMD Functional Disability Score (PMD-FDS). The level of myelination by brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the electrophysiological state by auditory brainstem response (ABR) were evaluated as secondary end points. The safety and tolerability of oral curcumin were also examined. ResultsIncrease in GMFM and PMD-FDS were noted in five and three patients, respectively, but overall, no statistically significant improvement was demonstrated. We found no clear improvement in their brain MRI or ABR. No adverse events associated with oral administration of curcumin were observed. ConclusionsAlthough we failed to demonstrate any significant therapeutic effects of curcumin after 12 months, its tolerability and safety were confirmed. This study does not exclude the possibility of therapeutic effects of curcumin, and a trial of longer duration should be considered to compare the natural history of the disease with the effects of curcumin.

Long-term oral administration of curcumin is effective in preventing short-term memory deterioration and prolonging lifespan in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease

Long-term oral administration of curcumin is effective in preventing short-term memory deterioration and prolonging lifespan in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease

Oral administration of curcumin and gallic acid alleviates pentachlorophenol-induced oxidative damage in rat intestine.

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) is used as pesticide and wood preservative. We have previously shown that PCP causes oxidative damage in rat intestine. This study aimed to delineate the possible therapeutic potential of curcumin (CUR) and gallic acid (GA) against PCP-induced damage in rat intestine. PCP alone group received 125mg PCP/kg body weight/day orally for 4 days. Animals in combination groups received CUR or GA (100mg/kg bw) for 18 days and PCP (125mg/kg bw) for the last four days. Rats were sacrificed and intestinal preparations were analyzed for various parameters. Administration of PCP alone altered the activities of metabolic, antioxidant and brush border membrane enzymes. It also increased DNA-protein crosslinking and DNA-strand scission. Animals in combinations groups showed significant amelioration against PCP-induced oxidative damage. Histological abrasions were seen in PCP alone group which were reduced in the intestines of combination groups. CUR was more effective protectant than GA. CUR and GA protected rat intestine from PCP-mediated changes in the activities of metabolic, antioxidant and brush border membrane enzymes. They also prevented DNA damage and histological abrasions. The antioxidant character of CUR and GA may be responsible for the diminution of PCP-mediated oxidative damage.

Curcumin Modulates p62-Keap1-Nrf2-Mediated Autophagy in Rotenone-Induced Parkinson's Disease Mouse Models.

Autophagy mediates self-digestion of abnormally aggregated proteins and organelles present in the cytoplasm. This mechanism may prove to be neuroprotective against Parkinson's disease (PD) by clearing misfolded α-synuclein (α-syn) aggregates from dopaminergic neurons. p62, an adaptor protein acts as a selective substrate for autophagy and regulates the formation as well as the degradation of protein aggregates. p62 sequesters keap1 freeing Nrf2 and consequently activating the transcription of its target genes. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the anti-parkinsonian activity of curcumin targeting primarily activation of autophagy via the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway. The mice were subcutaneously injected with rotenone (2.5 mg/kg bodyweight) and co-treated with oral administration of curcumin (80 mg/kg bodyweight) for 35 days. Following completion of dosing, motor activities, anti-oxidative potential, mitochondrial dysfunction, and various protein expressions, including Nrf2, Keap1, p62, LC3, Bcl2, Bax, and caspase 3, were assessed. The results revealed that curcumin restored the motor coordination and anti-oxidative activity while improving the mitochondrial functioning in PD mice. Autophagy was evaluated by the change in the expression of autophagic markers, p62 and LC3-II. Reduced p62 and LC3-II expressions in the rotenone mouse model of PD confirmed the compromised autophagy pathway, consequently increasing the aggregation of misfolded protein α-syn. Whereas, curcumin treatment-enhanced autophagy-mediated clearance of misfolded α-syn proteins by increasing the LC3-II expression and blocked apoptotic cascade. Curcumin administration upregulated the Nrf2 expression and normalized the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway, which justifies the improved anti-oxidative activity. Therefore, the findings reveal that curcumin is a Nrf2-inducer and is endowed with neuroprotective potential, which may prove to be a potential candidate for the anti-Parkinson's disease treatment therapy.

Combination of Curcumin and Quercetin: Reclaiming the Lost Ground Against Nephrotoxicity

Background: An alkylating agent named cyclophosphamide (CP) is an immunosuppressant used in the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis and various cancers. The combination of curcumin and quercetin was evaluated for antioxidant activity against CP-induced renal oxidative stress in Wistar rats. Methods: A prophylactic treatment using a combination of curcumin and quercetin is given to the rats at 80 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg (b.w.) of the oral dose administered before single injection of CP at 200 mg/kg intra-peritoneally (i.p.). The effects of curcumin and quercetin combination on CP-induced nephrotoxicity were investigated using the assay of oxidative stress biomarkers, serum kidney toxicity markers, and histopathology of kidney tissue. Result: A single dose of CP were enhanced the malondialdehyde (MDA), creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level and reduced the body weight indices (OBWI), haematological parameter, glutathione (GSH) content. The oral administration of curcumin and quercetin were caused a substantial reduction of the MDA, creatinine, BUN level and increased the OBWI, haematological parameter, GSH content. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that curcumin and quercetin combination has a prominent role against CP-induced renal injury.

The Effect of Curcumin on the Antioxidant System in Diabetic Rats

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of oral administration of curcumin, also known as a highly effective antioxidant, which has been used as a spice in experimental diabetic rats with streptozotocin (STZ) on antioxidant system. In this research, 30 healthy adult male Wistar albino rats, were used. The animals were divided into four groups as control group (K), diabetes group (D), curcumin group (C), and diabetes + curcumin group (DC). In order to create diabetes, D and DC groups were administered 60 mg/kg STZ as a single dose by intraperitoneal injection. Curcumin (50 mg/kg live weight/day) was given orally to the C and DC groups. At the end of the experiment, Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxidedismutase (SOD), Glutathione (GSH), Catalase, and glucose levels were determined. The MDA level was significantly higher in the D group compared to the other groups. MDA level determined in DC group was found to be significantly lower from group D (p &lt;0.05) while getting closer to groups K and C. It was also found that the levels of antioxidants SOD, GSH and catalase which are known to be effective against oxidative stress, were significantly apparently lower in group D compared to control groups (K and C). Again from the perspective of these parameters, when the data in group DC were evaluated, it was observed that the obtained data were getting closer to K and C or becoming similar. The blood glucose level obtained from the D group was significantly higher than the other groups. As a result, the data obtained from the research shows that curcumin, which is used in experimental diabetes-induced rats for its antioxidative and antidiabetic effects, is very helpful thanks to the positive effect in terms of the parameters followed.

Efficacy of Combined Administration of Cinnamon and Curcumin on Acute Orofacial Inflammatory Pain Enhanced by Xerostomia

Objectives: Orofacial pain can be caused by xerostomia, dental procedures, infections, and functional disorders in various areas, and it can greatly deteriorate patients’ quality of life. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of natural products in minimizing the side effects of synthetic drugs. Methods: In an experimental model of 4-DAMP-induced xerostomia, formalin was injected to induce inflammatory pain in the orofacial region, and the effects of oral administration of curcumin and cinnamon on pain behavioral response were observed. Results: In the experimental group with xerostomia, the pain response was prominent, which was suppressed in a concentration-dependent manner upon curcumin and cinnamon administration. Conclusions: Curcumin and cinnamon may be useful natural products for relieving the inflammatory orofacial pain caused by xerostomia.

Curcumin improves memory deficits by inhibiting HMGB1-RAGE/TLR4-NF-κB signalling pathway in APPswe/PS1dE9 transgenic mice hippocampus.

Amyloid‐β (Aβ) deposition in the brain has been implicated in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and neuroinflammation generates AD progression. Therapeutic effects of anti‐inflammatory approaches in AD are still under investigation. Curcumin, a potent anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant, has demonstrated therapeutic potential in AD models. However, curcumin's anti‐inflammatory molecular mechanisms and its associated cognitive impairment mechanisms in AD remain unclear. The high‐mobility group box‐1 protein (HMGB1) participates in the regulation of neuroinflammation. Herein, we attempted to evaluate the anti‐inflammatory effects of chronic oral administration of curcumin and HMGB1 expression in APP/PS1 transgenic mice AD model. We found that transgenic mice treated with a curcumin diet had shorter escape latencies and showed a significant increase in percent alternation, when compared with transgenic mice, in the Morris water maze and Y‐maze tests. Additionally, curcumin treatment could effectively decrease HMGB1 protein expression, advanced glycosylation end product‐specific receptor (RAGE), Toll‐like receptors‐4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) in transgenic mice hippocampus. However, amyloid plaques detected with thioflavin‐S staining in transgenic mice hippocampus were not affected by curcumin treatment. In contrast, curcumin significantly decreased GFAP‐positive cells, as assessed by immunofluorescence staining. Taken together, these data indicate that oral administration of curcumin may be a promising agent to attenuate memory deterioration in AD mice, probably inhibiting the HMGB1‐RAGE/TLR4‐NF‐κB inflammatory signalling pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL STUDY OF BRAIN OXIDATIVE STRESS IMPROVING POTENTIAL OF CURCUMIN IN INTOXICATED RATS

Objective: The following study aimed to investigate the efficacy of curcumin at preventing amikacin neurotoxicity&#x0D; Methods: Twenty-four male Wister albino rats were randomly divided into four groups including-G (1): control group includes six rats, they were administered 0.5 ml of saline orally for 14 consecutive days. G (2): includes six rats; they were administered 200 mg/kg curcumin orally for 14 consecutive days. G (3): includes six rats, they were administered 300 mg/kg body weight/day of amikacin intraperitoneally for 14 consecutive days G (4): includes six rats, they were administered 200 mg/kg curcumin orally concurrently with 300 mg/kg body weight/day of amikacin. All animals were kept in the same conditions from feed, heat and humidity.&#x0D; Results: According to the result obtained after sacrification of all animals after the end of 14 d, Results revealed that amikacin at the dose rate of 300 mg/kg b. wt for 14 d induces significant changes in oxidative stress markers compared to the control group, a significant reduction in CAT. SOD. GSH (1.51±0.16, 77.00±0.73 and 84.06±4.42) respectively compared to control (3.63±0.11, 98.48±0.18 and 117.05±0.52) along with a significant increase in MDA activity (219.02±3.34) compared to control group (180.42±0.19), That indicate oxidative stress effect of it. On the beneficial side rats received amikacin 300 mg/kg B. wt I/p concurrently with 200 mg/kg b. wt curcumin for successive 14day result in a significant increase in CAT. SOD. GSH (2.23±0.09,92.00±0.26, 102.25±1.71) and decrease in MDA concentration (139.23±3.89) compared to amikacin treated group levels along with histopathological changes appear in brain tissue in the group treated with amikacin include nuclear pyknosis and degeneration in some neurons in the hippocampus, multiple focal eosinophilic plaque formation in the striatum also this results enhanced by activated caspase-3 expression in the brain tissue following amikacin administration.&#x0D; Conclusion: The present study proved that Oral administration of curcumin at the dose of 200 mg/kg for 14 d concurrently with amikacin significantly mitigates its neurotoxic and oxidative stress effects.

Zein Nanoparticles Improve the Oral Bioavailability of Curcumin in Wistar Rats

Curcumin is a natural compound obtained from turmeric root with high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, clinical application of curcumin has been limited due to its low solubility and bioavailability and rapid metabolism and degradation. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of curcumin incorporation in zein nanoparticles on the pharmacokinetic parameters of systemic curcumin in plasma. Wistar rats were administered a single oral dose of 250 mg/kg of standard curcumin (control) or nanocurcumin (zein-based nanoparticles, Nucaps). The proposed new formulation was also compared with two commercially available curcumin complexes. Blood samples were collected at different times, and plasma levels were determined using HPLC-MS/MS. Overall, nanocurcumin (Nucaps) formulation was well tolerated and showed a 9-fold increase in oral bioavailability when compared to the standard curcumin natural extract. In addition, the nanoparticles prepared in this study demonstrated a bioavailability profile superior to that of other bioavailability-enhanced curcumin complexes currently available in the marketplace. Thus, our nanoparticle-based formulation has shown great potential as a nutraceutical for the oral administration of curcumin.

The Antioxidant Effect of Curcumin and Rutin on Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Experimentally Induced Periodontitis in Hyperglycemic Wistar Rats.

Background: There is a growing interest in the correlation between antioxidants and periodontal disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of oxidative stress and the impact of two antioxidants, curcumin and rutin, respectively, in the etiopathology of experimentally induced periodontitis in diabetic rats. Methods: Fifty Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into five groups and were induced with diabetes mellitus and periodontitis: (1) (CONTROL)—control group, (2) (DPP)—experimentally induced diabetes mellitus and periodontitis, (3) (DPC)—experimentally induced diabetes mellitus and periodontitis treated with curcumin (C), (4) (DPR)—experimentally induced diabetes mellitus and periodontitis treated with rutin (R) and (5) (DPCR)—experimentally induced diabetes mellitus and periodontitis treated with C and R. We evaluated malondialdehyde (MDA) as a biomarker of oxidative stress and reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), GSH/GSSG and catalase (CAT) as biomarkers of the antioxidant capacity in blood harvested from the animals we tested. The MDA levels and CAT activities were also evaluated in the gingival tissue. Results: The control group effect was statistically significantly different from any other groups, regardless of whether or not the treatment was applied. There was also a significant difference between the untreated group and the three treatment groups for variables MDA, GSH, GSSG, GSH/GSSG and CAT. There was no significant difference in the mean effect for the MDA, GSH, GSSG, GSH/GSSG and CAT variables in the treated groups of rats with curcumin, rutin and the combination of curcumin and rutin. Conclusions: The oral administration of curcumin and rutin, single or combined, could reduce the oxidative stress and enhance the antioxidant status in hyperglycemic periodontitis rats.

Promising iron(II) complexes of curcumins: designing, density functional theory, and molecular docking

AbstractCurcumin is the key compound of turmeric and was identified as diferuloylmethane. It can be administered through various routes like orally and inhalation. It is hydrophobic, and the bioavailability for oral administration of curcumin is low. It is an important biological promising compound and used for the treatment of patients' suffering from atherosclerosis, colon cancer, hypercholesteremia, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatic cancer, and so forth. The work aims to design the iron(II) complexes of curcumin and its derivatives. The designed complexes were studied by the density functional theory (DFT) approach for their stability and were investigated based on IR spectra using Gaussian 9.0. Further, curcumin and the iron (II) complexes were explored for their biological potency as inhibitors against the main protease of SARS‐CoV‐2, as well as for antimicrobial and antioxidant activities using molecular docking with the iGemDock. Based on the results, it has been observed that among the iron(II) complexes of curcumin, C1 showed promising biological activities against tyrosinase kinase and the main protease of SARS‐CoV‐2 as well as satisfactory action againstEscherichia coli.

Curcumin's Effect on Inflammatory Response following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Adult Patients with Stable Coronary Heart Disease.

Cardiovascular diseases play major roles in the health problems worldwide especially in Indonesia. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a minimally invasive procedure with relatively low complications. However, high inflammatory response post-PCI has showed adverse events even after administration of standard medication. Previous studies showed that curcumin was able to reduce inflammatory response in adult patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD). This article determines the efficacy of oral administration of curcumin in reducing inflammatory response post-PCI with stable CHD. A double-blind randomized controlled trial on 50 adult patients comparing curcumin and placebo was performed in Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital and Jakarta Heart Center within April and June 2015. Either curcumin (45 mg/day) or placebo was given 7 days prior to PCI until 2 days after PCI. Inflammatory markers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP] and soluble CD40 ligand [sCD40L]) were measured in three phases (7 days prior PCI, 24 hours post-PCI, and 48 hours post-PCI). There were no significant differences in the reduction of hsCRP and sCD40L between curcumin and placebo groups in three phases of measurement. Curcumin significantly reduce the serum hsCRP ( p = 0.006) and sCD40L ( p = 0.002) 7 days before PCI to 48 hours post-PCI. The decrement of hsCRP (-14.2% vs. -7.4%) and sCD40L (-24.3% vs. -13.2%) from 24 to 48 hours post-PCI was higher in the curcumin group than placebo group. The administration of curcumin 45 mg dose daily for 7 days prior PCI until 48 hours post-PCI is useful in reducing inflammatory response post-PCI with stable CHD.

Effect of curcumin and turmeric powder on lipid profile of wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus ) induced high fat diet

Consumption of foods high in fat is a factor in the occurrence of hyperlipidemia. Hyperlipidemia is characterized by high levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) in the blood. The use of curcumin and powder in many studies can reduce cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and increase High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) through antioxidant activity and increase cholesterol absorption. This study aims to compare the hypolipidemic activity of curcumin and turmeric powder in wistar rats fed by high-fat diet. Curcumin (dose 0.34 mg / 50 g BW) and turmeric powder (54 mg / 50 g BW) were given orally for 9 weeks to 2 week old Wistar rats which were fed high fat diet. Triglyceride, cholesterol, and LDL levels were at normal levels for all treatments. Wistar rats fed high-fat diets did not show hyperlipidemia conditions (TG 68.7 mg / dl, cholesterol 80.5 mg / dl, LDL 19.5 mg / dl ). Cholesterol levels of wistar rats given curcumin 98.7 mg / dl. Cholesterol level of Wistar rats given turmeric powder was 86.5 mg / dl. The results showed that oral administration of curcumin or turmeric powder was not significant in reducing hyperlipidemia.

Biochemical study on the protective effect of curcumin on acetaminophen and gamma-irradiation induced hepatic toxicity in rats.

Acetaminophen (APAP) is one of the few recommended analgesic and antipyretic drugs in some critical cases such as viral disease COVID-19. However, the unrestricted use of APAP develops liver disorders. Hepatotoxicity and liver injury can also be induced by ionizing radiation (IR) during radiotherapy. The data of the current study represents that treatment of rats with either APAP-overdose, or gamma-irradiation (R) induces hepatotoxicity, results in significant increases of the hepatic-enzymes activities (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, LDH, and MDH), as well as enhancement of triglycerides, total cholesterol levels, combined with declines in albumin and total protein contents. An enhancement of the lipid peroxides (malondialdehyde; MDA), and nitric oxide levels along with a decline of reduced glutathione contents and suppression of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities are also observed within the liver tissues of intoxicated animals. TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, iNOS, Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), miR-802 gene expression, NF-κB, and calcium levels are up-regulated, while Nuclear factor erythroid-related factor-2 (Nrf2), Hemoxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein and gene expressions, as well as, glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), NAD(P)H-Quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), and miR-122 gene expressions are down-regulated in the livers of intoxicated animals. All these parameters show significant improvement in R/APAP intoxicated animals. Curcumin pretreatment develops an amelioration of these effects in APAP-overdose, R-exposure, or R/APAP treatments. In conclusion, oral administration of curcumin shows hepatoprotective effects against APAP-overdose induced hepatic damage in normal and gamma-irradiated rats through prospective regulation of the therapeutic targets CYP2E1, Nrf2, and NF-κB, via organizing the miR-122 and miR-802 gene expression.

Development and Validation of RP–HPLC Method for Estimation of Curcumin from Nanocochleates and Its Application in in–vivo Pharmacokinetic Study

A reliable RP-HPLC analytical method with UV detection at 421 nm was developed and validated for the quantitative determination of curcumin from rat plasma after oral administration of curcumin loaded nanocochleates (CU-NC) to rats. The chromatographic separation was performed on HIQ SIL, C18 (250 mm × 4.6 mm) column using methanol and water (80:20 v/v) as mobile phase, at 1.0 mL/min flow rate. Validation parameters included linearity, accuracy, precision, and limit of quantitation and detection. Good linearity was obtained over the range of 2.5-100 µg/mL (R2 = 0.9979) of curcumin. The developed HPLC method was precise, with <2% relative standard deviation. Accuracy, stability, and robustness studies were also found to be acceptable. Bland-Altman plot showed an acceptable repeatability coefficient. The method was under statistical control, revealed by a control chart. After CU-NC administration, pharmacokinetic parameters i.e. Cmax, AUC0-?, and AUMC0-?, were observed to be 97.69±10.84 µg/mL, 1402.77±9.67 (µg/mL)×h, and 35140.16±14.67 (µg/mL)×h2, respectively. This simple and precise method can be effectively implemented for routine analysis.

The effects of oral administration of curcumin–galactomannan complex on brain waves are consistent with brain penetration: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled pilot study

ABSTRACT Overview A novel highly bioavailable curcumin-galactomannan (CGM) formulation was shown to have improved blood-brain-barrier (BBB) permeability of free curcuminoids in animal models; however, this has not been established in humans. The present study was conducted to determine the functional effects of CGM on brain waves in healthy individuals, owing to its BBB permeability. Methods A total of 18 healthy volunteers aged 35–65 were randomly assigned to consume 500 mg CGM, Unformulated curcumin (UC) or Placebo capsules twice daily for 30 days. Electroencephalogram (EEG) measurements, audio-visual reaction time tests and a working memory test were conducted at baseline and after 30 days. Results Supplementation of CGM resulted in a significant increase in α- and β-waves (p < 0.05) as well as a significant reduction in α/β ratio in comparison with unformulated curcumin and placebo groups. Furthermore, the CGM showed significant reduction in the audio-reaction time (29.8 %; p < 0.05) in comparison with placebo and 24.6% (p < 0.05) with unformulated curcumin. The choice-based visual-reaction time was also significantly decreased (36%) in CGM as compared to unformulated curcumin and placebo which produced 15.36% and 5.2% respectively. Conclusion The observed increase in α and β waves and reduction in α/β ratio in the CGM group suggest that CGM can influence the brain waves in healthy subjects in a manner consistent with penetration of the blood-brain-barrier. The EEG results correlated with improved audio-visual and working memory tests which further support the role of CGM on memory improvements and fatigue reduction.

Curcumin ameliorates DSS‑induced colitis in mice by regulating the Treg/Th17 signaling pathway.

Curcumin has a therapeutic effect on ulcerative colitis, but the underlying mechanism has yet to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to clarify the possible mechanisms. Dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis mice were treated with curcumin via gavage for 7 days. The effects of curcumin on disease activity index (DAI) and pathological changes of colonic tissue in mice were determined. Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-17 and IL-23 expression levels were measured by ELISA. Flow cytometry was used to detect the ratio of mouse spleen regulatory T cells (Treg)/Th17 cells, and western blotting was used to measure the nuclear protein hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α level. The results demonstrated that curcumin can significantly reduce DAI and spleen index scores and improve mucosal inflammation. Curcumin could also regulate the re-equilibration of Treg/Th17. IL-10 level in the colon was significantly increased, while inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-17 and IL-23 were significantly reduced following curcumin treatment. No significant difference in HIF-1α was observed between the colitis and the curcumin group. It was concluded that oral administration of curcumin can effectively treat experimental colitis by regulating the re-equilibration of Treg/Th17 and that the regulatory mechanism may be closely related to the IL-23/Th17 pathway. The results of the present study provided molecular insight into the mechanism by which curcumin treats ulcerative colitis.