Inhalation treatment of primary lung cancer using liposomal curcumin dry powder inhalers

Abstract

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Traditional chemotherapy causes serious toxicity due to the wide bodily distribution of these drugs. Curcumin is a potential anticancer agent but its low water solubility, poor bioavailability and rapid metabolism significantly limits clinical applications. Here we developed a liposomal curcumin dry powder inhaler (LCD) for inhalation treatment of primary lung cancer. LCDs were obtained from curcumin liposomes after freeze-drying. The LCDs had a mass mean aerodynamic diameter of 5.81 μm and a fine particle fraction of 46.71%, suitable for pulmonary delivery. The uptake of curcumin liposomes by human lung cancer A549 cells was markedly greater and faster than that of free curcumin. The high cytotoxicity on A549 cells and the low cytotoxicity of curcumin liposomes on normal human bronchial BEAS-2B epithelial cells yielded a high selection index partly due to increased cell apoptosis. Curcumin powders, LCDs and gemcitabine were directly sprayed into the lungs of rats with lung cancer through the trachea. LCDs showed higher anticancer effects than the other two medications with regard to pathology and the expression of many cancer-related markers including VEGF, malondialdehyde, TNF-α, caspase-3 and BCL-2. LCDs are a promising medication for inhalation treatment of lung cancer with high therapeutic efficiency.

Curcumin inhibits migration and invasion of non-small cell lung cancer cells through up-regulation of miR-206 and suppression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

“…Studies have shown that curcumin could suppress tumorigenesis, inhibit tumor promotion, and suppress angiogenesis (12). Curcumin could not only inhibit cell proliferation of tumor cells, but could also inhibit the proliferation of normal cells (13). For example, curcumin significantly inhibited the proliferation of BEAS-2B cells at the concentration of 10 μmol L -1 (14).…”

Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents as Agents for Improving Solubility, Stability and Delivery of Curcumin

“…Since ancient times it has been used along other curcuminoids extracted from turmeric in traditional medicine due to its beneficial influence on human health. Curcumin shows anti-oxidant ( 1 ), anti-inflammatory ( 2 ), anti-microbial ( 3 ) and anti-tumor ( 4 ), nephro-protective ( 5 ) and anti-diabetic ( 6 ) activities. Importantly, curcumin is safe even at high doses ( 7 ).…”

Curcumin solid dispersion-loaded in situ hydrogels for local treatment of injured vaginal bacterial infection and improvement of vaginal wound healing

“…In order to improve curcumin dispersing in aqueous solutions and enhance its biological activity, many studies have been conducted on its formulations such as liposomes, nanoparticles, micelles, phospholipid complexes, hydrogels, powder solutions, solid dispersions and nanoemulsions . Topical administration of curcumin may be a fundamental solution to curcumin biomedical application because it remains local . Some topically curcumin formulations were applied for therapy of vaginal infection .…”