Facile Synthesis of Curcumin Nanocrystals and Validation of Its Antioxidant Activity Against Circulatory Toxicity in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Our investigation was carried out in two phases. First we synthesized curcumin nanocrystals using a simple precipitation method and characterized their absorbance, crystallinity, size, and morphology by UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy, High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) and Particle size Analyzer (PSA), in comparison with bulk curcumin. Characterization studies revealed that the protocol we standardized resulted in Curcumin nanocrystals with 10-200 nm size which was fairly soluble in water in contrast to bulk curcumin. Due to its crystallinity, nanocurcumin that we synthesized was also referred as Curcumin Nanocrystals. In Phase 2, we have assessed the comparative antioxidant efficacy of Curcumin nanocrystals and bulk Curcumin in the circulation of 1,2-dimethyl hydrazine-treated rats by investigating lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase), GSH and GSH-dependent detoxification enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, gIutathione-S-transferase). Curcumin nanocrystals exerted its antioxidant effect by decreasing lipid peroxidation, and by enhancing the activities of antioxidant and detoxification enzymes studied. Curcumin nanocrystals exhibited its antioxidant action at 40 mg dose whereas the bulk curcumin exerted its effect at 80 mg dose. This may be due to enhanced solubility, dispersibility, and crystallinity of the nanocrystals, which might have enhanced its bioavailability when compared to poorly soluble bulk curcumin.

Nanocurcumin: A Promising Candidate for Therapeutic Applications

“…Alg-NP-Cur displayed effective antioxidant activity through the decrease of the lipid peroxidation in the Parkinson's disease drosophila brain after a diet supplemented with the nanocarrier for 24 days (Siddique et al, 2013). Curcumin nanocrystals used its antioxidant effect for reducing lipid peroxidation, and by improving the activities of antioxidant and detoxification enzymes against circulatory toxicity in Wistar rats (Rajasekar, 2015). Moghaddasi et al explained the synthesis of the nanocurcumin system (nano-CUR) using the O/W nanoemulsion method.…”

Generation of engineered core–shell antibiotic nanoparticles

“…XRD data analysis of the nano-curcumin showed well-developed crystalline peaks 21,22. The main characteristic peaks of nanocurcumin appeared at diffraction angles of 2 θ at 12.09, 14.62 and 17.29° indicating that nanocurcumin stays existent as a crystalline form 21,22. The XRD pattern of ZnO shows the diffraction peaks of crystalline ZnO in the hexagonal wurtzite structure.…”

“…2C and D. The curcumin exhibited endothermic melting temperature ( T m ) at 190.10 whereas nano-curcumin exhibited endothermic T m at 191.10 which can occur because of the high crystalline nature of nanomaterials 21. However, an increase in the melting peaks of core/shell incorporated ZnO was observed.…”

Characterization of PVPK90 core shell nanofibers containing curcumin prepared by emulsion electrospinning process

“…S3A). Previously, XRD analysis on CUR at 2θ values was veri ed the main peak of CUR nanocrystals in the same range 43 . In the X-ray spectra of PVP (supplementary Fig.…”