Micronization potentiates curcumin’s anti-seizure effect and brings an important advance in epilepsy treatment

Abstract

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases, and current antiepileptic drugs fail to suppress seizure occurrence in around one third of epileptic patients. Curcumin is a phytochemical with promising effects on epilepsy treatment. However, its application has been hindered by its low bioavailability. In order to improve curcumin’s anti-seizure properties, increasing its bioavailability, here we proposed to micronize the compound through supercritical carbon dioxide processing, a suitable green chemistry technique to prepare and modify material properties. Here we investigated the anti-seizure potential of the classical antiepileptic drug valproate, curcumin in its natural state, and micronized curcumin in a PTZ-induced seizure model in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Concerning seizure development, valproate, curcumin and micronized curcumin showed protective effects, slowing seizure development both in larvae and adult animals. Nevertheless, considering the occurrence of the tonic-clonic seizure stage, only valproate and micronized curcumin reduced it, both in larvae and adult zebrafish, unlike non-processed curcumin. Our obtained results are very promising, since micronized curcumin showed effects that are similar to a classic antiepileptic drug, reducing seizure occurrence and slowing seizure progression.

<p>Curcumin-loaded nanoparticles: a novel therapeutic strategy in treatment of central nervous system disorders</p>

“…68, Several lines of evidence showed the pro mising anticonvulsant effect of curcumin. 69,70 It has been shown that curcumin nanoparticles (cur-NPs) possess antioxidant‚ anti-inflammatory‚ anti-apoptotic and anti-convulstant activities in pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) model in rats. 71 The findings of this study demonstrated that cur-NPs prevented the increased level of lipid peroxidaton and hippocampal level of NO as well as improved the cortical level of GSH which were decreased after induction of SE.…”

Curcumin in epilepsy disorders

“…A very recent study has indicated that the micronized curcumin, prepared using the supercritical carbon dioxide processing technique, has superior anti‐epileptic activity in both larvae and adult zebrafish. The effect was comparable to valproate, a standard anti‐seizure molecule (Bertoncello et al, ). Curcumin by itself (without micronization) does not prevent or slow‐down the onset of tonic–clonic seizures in this animal model (Bertoncello et al, ).…”

“…The effect was comparable to valproate, a standard anti‐seizure molecule (Bertoncello et al, ). Curcumin by itself (without micronization) does not prevent or slow‐down the onset of tonic–clonic seizures in this animal model (Bertoncello et al, ).…”

Curcumin bioavailability issues and its effect on birth defects

“…The results showed very promising protective effects, slowing seizure development both in larvae and adult animals. 15 Recent article revealed that the Curcumin-loaded marinosomes (CURMs -encapsulated in krill lipids-based liposomes) showed a powerful antioxidant activity to develop a potential anticancer therapy from low-cost and readily available nutraceuticals. Reflux followed by thin drug-lipid film method is used successfully to incorporate the drug into the liposomal membrane at high encapsulation efficiency (EE).…”