Therapeutic Efficacy of Curcumin Enhanced by Microscale Discoidal Polymeric Particles in a Murine Asthma Model

Abstract

Curcumin is considered a potential anti-asthmatic agent owing to its anti-inflammatory properties. The objective of the present study was to prepare curcumin-containing poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-based microscale discoidal polymeric particles (Cur-PLGA-DPPs) and evaluate their anti-asthmatic properties using a murine asthma model. Cur-PLGA-DPPs were prepared using a top-down fabrication method. The prepared Cur-PLGA-DPPs had a mean particle size of 2.5 ± 0.4 μm and a zeta potential value of −34.6 ± 4.8 mV. Ex vivo biodistribution results showed that the Cur-PLGA-DPPs mainly accumulated in the lungs and liver after intravenous injection. Treatment with Cur-PLGA-DPPs effectively suppressed the infiltration of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and reduced bronchial wall thickening and goblet-cell hyperplasia compared to those in the phosphate-buffered-saline-treated control group. No significant changes in hematology and blood biochemistry parameters were observed after treatment with Cur-PLGA-DPPs. At equal curcumin concentrations, treatment with Cur-PLGA-DPPs exhibited better therapeutic efficacy than treatment with free curcumin. Our results suggest that the microscale Cur-PLGA-DPPs can be potentially used as a lung-targeted asthma therapy.

Shape-specific microfabricated particles for biomedical applications: a review

“…The group of Key has further explored the ability of DPNs to preferentially target the lungs following intravenous administration [98,99]. DPNs with a diameter of approximately 3 μm and a height of 1.5 μm were radiolabeled with 89 Zr and were administered intravenously to healthy Balb/c mice via tail-vein injection [98].…”

Curcuma longa and curcumin affect respiratory and allergic disorders, experimental and clinical evidence: A comprehensive and updated review

“…The expression of pro‐inflammatory parameters such as IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐1β, and factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) in immortalized human airway basal cell line were improved by treatment with curcumin encapsulated in niosomes (Nio‐Curc) 55 . Administration of curcumin‐containing poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) decreased epithelial hyperplasia and gablet cells in the airway of the murine asthma model 56 . Decreasing in Th2 and Th17 cells, serum levels of IL‐4 and IL‐13, as well as increasing in the mRNA expression level of M1 macrophage‐related inflammatory factors including IL‐6, iNOS, and IL‐1β were indicated by treatment with curcumin (200 mg/kg) in asthmatic mice 57 .…”

Development of a Curcumin-Loaded Polymeric Microparticulate Oral Drug Delivery System for Colon Targeting by Quality-by-Design Approach

“…The results of the ANOVA test (Table 4) showed that the P-value was lower than 0.05 for all responses and P for the lack of fit was greater than 0.05 for all responses, confirming that the proposed model is adequate, reliable, and has a good predictive power. (1) Regression coefficient; (2) predictive power of the model; (3) degrees of freedom; (4) sum of squares; (5) mean of square (variance); (6) Fisher's ratio; (7) probability; (8) particle size (µm); (9) particle size distribution (%); (10) drug loading (%); (11) entrapment efficiency (%); (12) yield (%); (13)(14)(15)(16)(17) percentage of curcumin released after 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h (%).…”

“…CQA (1) Predicted (1) Critical quality attribute; (2) particle size (%); (3) particle size distribution (%); (4) drug loading (%); (5) entrapment efficiency (%); (6)(7)(8)(9) percentage of curcumin released after 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, and 12 h (%).…”

“…The main strategies are based on loading the compound in micro-and nanocarriers (e.g., pellets, polymeric microparticles, liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, or micelles) which are able to deliver curcumin to colitis tissue and improve its solubility, protect it from degradation, and facilitate its delivery by specifically targeting the inflamed colon [1][2][3]. The development of curcumin-loaded micro-and nanocarriers is used not only in colon-specific drug delivery systems, but in all the delivery systems pursuing the improvement of curcumin bioavailability, drug loading, stability, and programmed release [5,6].…”