ABSTRACT
Current changes in diet, characterized by an increase in the intake of sweetened beverages, are heavily related to metabolic disorders such as non-alcoholic fatty liver. This condition can produce simple steatosis and, in worse cases, potentially result in steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis, comparable to the damage caused by the consumption of more or less 20-30 g of alcohol per day. The main objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of curcumin (Curcuma longa) nanoemulsions, using mono- and diacylglycerides medium chain fatty acids as stabilizers in an in vivo hepatic steatosis rat model. Pathology was induced by providing 30% fructose intake in the drinking water. Globule sizes under 200 nm that were stable for 4 weeks were obtained; curcumin encapsulated in the nanoemulsion was >70%. The results revealed an improvement regarding body and liver weight in the animals treated with curcumin nanoemulsions. A decrease in total cholesterol, LDL, AST/ALT, and HDL in serum was observed; however, no apparent improvement regarding serum glucose or triacylglycerides values was noted. Histological analysis showed a significant decrease in the extent of steatosis, inflammation, and brown adipose tissue in the treated animals.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cancer is one of the main causes of death by disease; several alternative treatments have been developed to counteract this condition. Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), extracted from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties; however, it has low water solubility and poor intestinal absorption. Carrier systems, such as nanoemulsions, can increase the bioavailability of lipophilic bioactive compounds. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of curcumin nanoemulsions prepared with lecithin modified with medium-chain fatty acids as an emulsifier, on the expression of the Cdk4, Ccne2, Casp8 and Cldn4 genes involved in the carcinogenesis process in K14E6 transgenic mice. METHODS: The emulsifier was prepared by interesterification of medium-chain fatty acids, pure lecithin, and immobilized phospholipase-1 on Duolite A568. An Ultraturrax homogenizer and a Branson Ultrasonic processor were used for the preparation of nano-emulsions, and a Zetasizer evaluated the particle size. qRT-PCR analysis was performed to quantify the cancer-related genes expressed in the K14E6 mice. The development and evolution of skin carcinogenesis were assessed through histological analysis to compare cell morphology. RESULTS: Ca 59% of the MCFA were incorporated via esterification into the PC within 12 hours of the reaction. An emulsifier yield used to formulate the NE of 86% was achieved. Nanoemulsions with a particle size of 44 nm were obtained. The curcumin nano-emulsion group had a 91.81% decrease in the tumorigenesis index and a reduction in tumor area of 89.95% compared to the sick group. Histological analysis showed that the group administered with free curcumin developed a microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma, as opposed to the group with nanoemulsion which presented only a slight inflammation. In gene expression, only a significant difference in Cdk4 was observed in the nanoemulsion group.
