Synergistic Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Curcumin-C3 Encapsulated Chitosan Nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have focused on the nanoformulations of curcumin to enhance its solubility and bioavailability. The medicinal properties of curcumin-C3 complex, which is a combination of three curcuminoids (curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin) is less explored. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to prepare curcumin-C3 encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles, characterize and evaluate their antioxidant and antibacterial potential. METHODS: Ionic gelation method was used to prepare curcumin-C3 nanoparticles and was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis. In vitro assays were performed to assess drug release, antioxidant and antibacterial activities. RESULTS: Curcumin-C3-chitosan nanoparticle showed an increased entrapment efficiency of >90%, drug release and improved antioxidant potential. Moreover, curcumin-C3-chitosan nanoparticle showed stronger inhibition of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. CONCLUSION: Chitosan is a suitable carrier for curcumin-C3 nanoparticle and can be used as a drug delivery system in the treatment of inflammatory and bacterial diseases.

Curcumin-C3 Complexed with α-, ß-cyclodextrin Exhibits Antibacterial and Antioxidant Properties Suitable for Cancer Treatments.

BACKGROUND: The curcumin-C3 (cur-C3) complex obtained from Curcuma longa rhizome is a combination of three curcuminoids, namely, curcumin, dimethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin. Cur and curcuminoids have been extensively researched for their wide range of therapeutic properties against inflammatory diseases, diabetes, and cancer. OBJECTIVE: In spite of their extensive medicinal properties, cur and curcuminoids have poor solubility and bioavailability due to their hydrophobicity. This limitation can be overcome by complexing cur-C3 with natural cyclic oligosaccharides, such as Cyclodextrin (CD). METHODS: In this study, cur-C3 and CD (α, ß) inclusion complexes (ICs) were prepared with different molar ratios and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: The cur-C3 cyclodextrin ICs showed an increased entrapment efficiency of 97.8% and improved antioxidant activity compared to cur and can be used as an antioxidant to reduce cancer-related oxidative stress. Additionally, α- CD ICs of curcumin-C3 caused an increase in growth inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that both α- and ß-CDs are suitable carriers for cur-C3 and can be used as an effective treatment for cancer-associated oxidative stress and as a preventive treatment for nosocomial infections and pneumonia.