Nanoparticles Containing Curcumin Useful for Suppressing Macrophages In Vivo in Mice

Abstract

To explore a novel method using liposomes to suppress macrophages, we screened food constituents through cell culture assays. Curcumin was one of the strongest compounds exhibiting suppressive effects on macrophages. We subsequently tried various methods to prepare liposomal curcumin, and eventually succeeded in preparing liposomes with sufficient amounts of curcumin to suppress macrophages by incorporating a complex of curcumin and bovine serum albumin. The diameter of the resultant nanoparticles, the liposomes containing curcumin, ranged from 60 to 100 nm. Flow cytometric analyses revealed that after intraperitoneal administration of the liposomes containing curcumin into mice, these were incorporated mainly by macrophages positive for F4/80, CD36, and CD11b antigens. Peritoneal cells prepared from mice injected in vivo with the liposomes containing curcumin apparently decreased interleukin-6-producing activities. Major changes in body weight and survival rates in the mice were not observed after administrating the liposomes containing curcumin. These results indicate that the liposomes containing curcumin are safe and useful for the selective suppression of macrophages in vivo in mice.

Immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects of curcumin

“…Generally, it is concluded that administering curcumin in combination with dietary fatty acids reduces ROS generation in macrophages (23). In line with this study, Amano et al showed that liposomes containing curcumin could suppress the macrophages in mice in a selective manner (24). A pathway through which curcumin may exert its suppressive effects on macrophages has been suggested to be NF-κB signaling pathway as it has been observed that this compound diminishes macrophage activation and influenza virus induced-lung inflammation by inhibiting NF-κB pathway (25).…”

Direct chemical grafted curcumin on halloysite nanotubes as dual-responsive prodrug for pharmacological applications

“…Therefore, a carefully designed carrier could significantly facilitate the drug delivery extending the potential pharmaceutical applications of curcumin. In this regard, several drug delivery systems (DDS) were recently developed, such as the curcumin loading into liposomes or nanoparticles [33]. Additionally, both curcumin-phospholipid complexes and structural analog of curcumin were successfully synthesized.…”

Can NF-κB Be Considered a Valid Drug Target in Neoplastic Diseases? Our Point of View

“…In the last few years, we have examined the possible convenience to use designed carrier that could increase the drug delivery and allow for a wider applicability of curcumin in vivo. In this regard, several drug delivery systems (DDS), such as the curcumin loading into liposomes or nanoparticles, have been developed by other groups, though these are not always exploitable for clinic use due to high side effects and low efficacy [99][100][101].…”