Preparation of nanocurcumin particle

Abstract

Curcumin, a hydrophobic polyphenolic compound derived from the rhizome of the herb Curcuma longa, possesses a wide range of biological applications including cancer therapy. Nanocurcumin particles were prepared by top down method as its can improve hydrophilic and increase bioavailability. Curcumin concentration was studied to 10% (w/w), and the size was defined less than 1,000 nm in diameter. The particles were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), dynamic laser light scattering (DLS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The acute oral toxicity was done with a dose up to 500 mg kg-1 body weight and no dead mice were found indicating the nanocurcumin particles are safe for long-term use. The model of liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of 0.8 mL carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in the olive oil (1:3 v/v) per kg body weight. Nanocurcumin (15 mg/kg) was orally administered to fibrotic mice models in 4 weeks to evaluate the therapeutic potential of nanocurcumin particles in blood and soft tissues. The results indicate that nanocurcummin have effects on reducing alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in CCl4-induced liver fibrosis mice. Histological examination shows that liver of mice treated with nanocurcumin particles recovered after 4-weeks. Keywords: Nanocurcumin, hepatic fibrosis, carbon tetra chloride (CCl4), ALT and AST.