Dietary supplementation with curcumin-loaded nanocapsules in lambs: Nanotechnology as a new tool for nutrition

Abstract

Curcumin-containing nanocapsule powder formulations have not been used in ruminant feed to date, despite the fact that curcumin is known to be a functional food additive. The objective of this study was to determine whether ethyl polymethacrylate (Eudragit L-100) nanocapsules loaded with curcumin (N-CU) would improve health and growth of lambs. Thirty-two male Lacaune lambs (body weight [BW] = 16 ± 0.99 kg; 45 d of age) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: T0, T1, T2 and T4, representing supplementation of curcumin at 0, 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg concentrate, respectively. The animals in each treatment were allocated in 4 pens of 2 lambs each (8 lambs per treatment). The experiment lasted 17 d, with samples and measurements collected on d 0, 7, 12, and 17. The T2 lambs had greater average daily gain than T0 lambs. Regression analysis showed that the ideal dose of N-CU to enhance weight gain was 1.89 mg/kg concentrate. There were significant interactions ( P < 0.05) between treatments × time for hematological variables, particularly for increases in erythrocytes (T2) and reductions in counts of leukocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocytes in T1 and T2. There were significant interactions between treatment × time for total protein, globulin, urea, and triglyceride levels. Stimulation of the antioxidant system was also observed. There were increased levels of non-protein thiols (NPSH), as well as increased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in the supplemented animals. Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were lower in the serum of supplemented lambs. In general, the 4 mg/kg dose had no positive effects on growth or health. This was an unexpected result, given the known properties of curcumin. Taken together, these findings suggest that addition of low concentrations of nanoencapsulated curcumin (T1 and T2) in lamb feed improves health, minimizing oxidative stress and generates anti-inflammatory effects that may have contributed indirectly to greater weight gain. Nanocapsules potentiate the effects of curcumin and may emerge as a new tool in animal nutrition.

Evaluation of Dietary Curcumin Nanospheres in a Weaned Piglet Model

“…This can be explained by the possibility that the doses of CN were non-hazardous to the health status and did not affect the digestibility in terms of carbohydrate (amylase, AMYL enzyme activity) and lipid (lipase, LYPS enzyme activity) metabolism. In consistency with our study, Marcon et al [31] reported that the young lambs fed 1 mg/kg diet of curcuminloaded nanocapsule did not show any significant changes in serum GLU and GGT levels compared to the control diet. Serum TBIL, ALT, AST, and ALKP are the indicators of liver function where higher levels of these parameters indicate deleterious conditions of the body.…”

“…According to the ALT and ALKP data in our study, it seemed that higher levels of ALT and ALKP were not toxic to the liver, as reflected by the increment of growth with a significantly higher weight gain in the T2 group compared to the control diet. In consistency with the present study, Marcon et al [31] found a significantly higher level of AST in lambs fed 2 mg/kg diet of curcumin-loaded nanocapsule compared with the control diet. Likewise, Reda et al [45] reported that dietary nanocurcumin at 0.5 g/kg of diet could significantly increase the ALT level in Japanese quails as a monogastric animal model, in agreement with the present study.…”

“…Moreover, significantly higher growth performance was observed in the T2 diet group compared with the control diet. In consistent of the present study, in a recent study, Marcon et al [31] reported that dietary supplementation of curcumin-loaded nanocapsule (1.89 mg/kg) could significantly enhance the growth in terms of ADG and WG in lambs after a 17-day long experiment. Likewise, Reda et al [45] reported the positive effects of nanocurcumin on the growth performance and feed utilization in terms of increased WG and decreased FCR in Japanese quails which is in agreement with the present study.…”

“…A commercial powder diet (Neopigg, Purina Korea) contained with all the nutritional requirements (protein, 23.0%; lipid, 5.5%; ash, 8.0%; fiber, 4.0%; digestible energy, 3.6 Mcal/kg) for weaned piglets was used as the control without supplementation of CN. Two other diets were prepared with dropwise mixing of CN at 0.5 mL/kg (T1) and 1.0 mL/kg (T2) in the powder of control diet using a mixer based on Marcon et al [ 31 ]. The diets were then dried at 25 °C room temperature (RT) for 72 h to remove the DCM in the diets.…”

“…Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the biomedical applications of nanocurcumin with different nanocarriers using in vitro cell lines or in vivo murine models [ 30 ]. However, little is known about the utilization of nanocurcumin in large animal models [ 31 , 32 ]. Importantly, swine has been discussed as a promising monogastric large animal in investigating digestive physiology, immunology, and toxicology concerning human diseases [ 33 , 34 , 35 ].…”