Curcumin encapsulation in nanostructures for cancer therapy: A 10-year overview

Author(s):Show less -

D'Angelo, Natalia A. ^[1] ; Noronha, Mariana A. ^[1] ; Kurnik, Isabelle S. ^[2] ; Camara, Mayra C. C. ^[1] ; Vieira, Jorge M. ^[3] ; Abrunhosa, Luis ^[3] ; Martins, Joana T. ^[3] ; Alves, Thais F. R. ^{[4, 5, 6]} ; Tundisi, Louise L. ^[1] ; Ataide, Janaina A. ^[1] ; Costa, Juliana S. R. ^[1] ; Jozala, Angela F. ^[7] ; Nascimento, Laura O. ^[1] ; Mazzola, Priscila G. ^[1] ; Chaud, V, Marco ; Vicente, Antonio A. ^[3] ; Lopes, Andre M. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, UNICAMP, Fac Pharmaceut Sci, Campinas - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo State Univ, UNESP, Sch Pharmaceut Sci, Araraquara, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Minho, Ctr Biol Engn CEB, Braga - Portugal

^[4] V, Univ Sorocaba, Lab Biomat & Nanotechnol LaBNUS, Sorocaba - Brazil

^[5] V, Univ Sorocaba, Coll Engn Bioproc & Biotechnol, Sorocaba - Brazil

^[6] V, Sorocaba Technol Pk, Sorocaba Dev & Innovat Agcy INOVA Sorocaba, Sorocaba - Brazil

^[7] Univ Sorocaba, Lab Ind Microbiol & Fermentat Proc LAMINFE, Sorocaba - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: International Journal of Pharmaceutics; v. 604, JUL 15 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Curcumin (CUR) is a phenolic compound present in some herbs, including Curcuma longa Linn. (turmeric rhizome), with a high bioactive capacity and characteristic yellow color. It is mainly used as a spice, although it has been found that CUR has interesting pharmaceutical properties, acting as a natural antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, and antitumoral agent. Nonetheless, CUR is a hydrophobic compound with low water solubility, poor chemical stability, and fast metabolism, limiting its use as a pharmacological compound. Smart drug delivery systems (DDS) have been used to overcome its low bioavailability and improve its stability. The current work overviews the literature from the past 10 years on the encapsulation of CUR in nanostructured systems, such as micelles, liposomes, niosomes, nanoemulsions, hydrogels, and nanocomplexes, emphasizing its use and ability in cancer therapy. The studies highlighted in this review have shown that these nanoformulations achieved higher solubility, improved tumor cytotoxicity, prolonged CUR release, and reduced side effects, among other interesting advantages. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/10799-0 - Combinatorial therapy using polymersomes decorated with transferrin and incorporated into chitosan hydrogels as smart drug delivery systems for melanoma tumor cells
• Grantee: André Moreni Lopes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Young Researchers
• FAPESP's process: 18/07707-6 - Development of formulation for burns: analgesia, infection control and healing
• Grantee: Priscila Gava Mazzola
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/06475-4 - Development of pharmaceutical formulation for burns' healing
• Grantee: Janaína Artem Ataide
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 17/10789-1 - Combinatorial therapy using polymersomes decorated with transferrin and incorporated into chitosan hydrogels as smart drug delivery systems for melanoma tumor cells
• Grantee: André Moreni Lopes
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/08549-8 - Polymersomes decorated with transferrin and evaluation of their stability and drug release behavior
• Grantee: Mayra Caroline Cunha Câmara
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 20/03727-2 - Polymersomes development aiming at the co-encapsulation of drugs for application in cancer therapy
• Grantee: Natalia Aimee D'Angelo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master