Studies On Bioavailability Enhancement Of Curcumin

Objective: The objective of the present work was to improve aqueous solubility and in vivo bioavailability of curcumin and structural analogues of curcumin such as potassium, calcium, magnesium salts and nitro derivative. Methods: Structural analogues of curcumin were prepared by reaction of curcumin with potassium chloride, magnesium chloride hexahydrate and calcium chloride dihydrate in a suitable solvent. The nitro derivative synthesized by treating curcumin with sulphuric acid and nitric acid. The prepared analogues were evaluated for melting behavior, solubility, UV spectrophotometry, partition coefficient, moisture content, cellular uptake, FTIR analysis, antimicrobial activity and in vivo bioavailability in the rat. Results: Chemical modification of curcumin increased the saturation solubility to 11.6, 16.5, 21.5, 28.0 µg/ml in calcium salt, magnesium salt, potassium salt and nitro derivative respectively, against 8.6 µg/ml of curcumin. The analogues were chemically stable as curcumin analyzed by FTIR spectrophotometry. Increased cellular uptake, as well as enhanced antimicrobial activity, was demonstrated by modified curcumin analogues. Moreover, significant improvement in plasma levels was estimated with nitro derivative. Conclusion: The present work recommends that nitration of curcumin improves aqueous solubility which may improve absorption and in vivo bioavailability.

Copper levels & reactive oxygen species in uterine flushings in copper intrauterine contraceptive device users.

Copper levels were estimated in the uterine flushings in 15 copper 'T' 200 device acceptors. There was a statistically significant difference in the preinsertion and one week post insertion values (P < 0.001). This also corresponded to a high level of generation of reactive oxygen species. The levels of reactive oxygen species were similar to preinsertion values at 4 and 12 wk. The copper values declined over the 3 months but were still higher at 12 wk as compared to preinsertion levels and this difference was statistically significant. Hence addition of copper to the intrauterine device besides enhancing the contraceptive efficacy, perhaps also plays an important role in microbicidal activity and helps in overcoming the infection introduced at the time of insertion.

Levels of copper and zinc in depression.

The study was undertaken to estimate plasma copper and zinc in thirty-five depressed patients. Two blood samples were drawn from each patient, one before starting treatment and the second after recovery from depression. The results were compared with the thirty-five normal healthy individuals. The mean plasma copper in controls, depressed patients and in patients after recovery were 106.82, 122.14 and 104.22 micrograms/dl, respectively. The copper levels in patients when depressed were significantly higher as compared to controls and after recovery from depression. The mean plasma zinc levels in controls, depressed patients and after recovery were 115.80, 107.62 and 125.68 micrograms/dl, respectively. No significant difference could be obtained between control and depressed patients. However, the values were significantly higher in recovered patients compared to patients with depression.