Preclinical studies of the antitumor effect of curcumin‐loaded polymeric nanocapsules: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

Curcumin, a plant-derived compound, has various well-known biological effects (antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, among others) as well as some important limitations for formulators, such as poor water solubility and low oral bioavailability. Its nanoencapsulation is reported to overcome these drawbacks and to improve its in vivo efficacy. Here, data from preclinical in vivo studies evaluating the antitumor efficacy of curcumin-loaded polymeric nanocapsules are collected, analyzed, and discussed as a systematic review. Meta-analyses are performed to assess the contribution of this nanoencapsulation compared with nonencapsulated curcumin. Eighteen studies (116 animals) meet the inclusion criteria. The evidence that curcumin-loaded polymeric nanocapsules inhibits tumor growth (SMD: À3.03; 95% CI: À3.84, À2.21; p < 0.00001) and decreases tumor weight (SMD: À3.96; 95% CI: À6.22, À1.70; p = 0.0006) in rodents is established, regardless of the solid tumor model. To assess the quality of the studies included in the review a bias risk analysis was performed using the SYRCLE's RoB tool. Therefore, encapsulation in polymeric nanocapsules represents an important tool to improve the antitumor effects of curcumin, and this systematic review paves the way for future clinical studies and the translation of curcumin formulations into novel nanomedicines for human cancer treatment.

Effect of Curcumin-Loaded Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles on the Head and Neck Cancer Cell Line, HN5

“…Over the past several decades, nanoparticle-based delivery systems for curcumin have been tested both in vitro and in vivo, as well as in preclinical studies. Studies with nanoparticle-based delivery systems such as polymeric nanoparticles, lipid-based nanoparticles (NPs), nanogels, micelles, cyclodextrins, and silica nanoparticles have been carried out with limited efficacy [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ].…”

Application and potential value of curcumin in prostate cancer: a meta-analysis based on animal models

“…Curcumin exhibits anticancer properties, as demonstrated in a meta-analysis conducted by de Oliveira et al ( de Oliveira et al, 2022 ). The analysis revealed that curcumin exerts therapeutic effects on various tumor types, including the inhibition of tumor growth (SMD: −3.03; 95% CI: −3.84, −2.21; p < 0.00001), reduction in tumor volume (SMD: −7.30; 95% CI: −11.39,-3.21; p < 0.00001), and decrease in tumor weight (SMD: −3.96; 95% CI: −6.22, - 1.70; p = 0.0006).…”

“…Curcumin, a polyphenol derived from turmeric, is commonly used in culinary applications owing to its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties ( Hewlings and Kalman, 2017 ). A previous meta-analysis has demonstrated the therapeutic potential of curcumin for the treatment of malignant tumors ( de Oliveira et al, 2022 ). To date, there is a lack of published meta-analyses examining the efficacy of curcumin in PCa treatment.…”

Pharmacological Mechanisms and Clinical Applications of Curcumin: Update

“…The long-term release of curcumin from curcuminoids loaded (SLNs) can be up to 12 hours according to the Higuchi’s square root model [ 197 ]. According to the biological barriers in different diseases [ 198 ], kinds of nanomaterials were used to encapsulate curcumin forming nanoparticles, such as poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles for cancer therapies [ 199 ], phenylboronic acid-conjugated chitosan nanoparticles [ 200 ], curcumin-loaded hybrid nano-particles (enzyme-targeted peptides, star-shaped polycyclic lipids) [ 201 ] and et al In addition, curcumin-loaded nanocapsules [ 202 ], nanocrystals [ 203 ], nanosphere [ 204 ], and nanomicelles were all attempted by researchers to improve curcumin’s pharmacokinetic parameters and achieved a certain degree of research progress. The emergence of nanomaterials not only improves the bioavailability of curcumin, but also improves the targeting and therapeutic effect of curcumin in different diseases.…”