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Nanoparticles (NPs) modified with bio-ligands represent a promising strategy for active targeted drug delivery to tumour. However, many targeted ligands, such as trastuzumab (TMAB), have high molecular weight, limiting their application for targeting. In this study, we prepared Fab' (antigen-binding fragments cut from TMAB)-modified NPs (Fab'-NPs) with curcumin (Cur) as a model drug for more effective targeting of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/ErbB2/Neu), which is overexpressed on breast cancer cells. The release kinetics was conducted by dialysis bags. The ability to kill HER2-overexpressing BT-474 cells of Fab'-Cur-NPs compared with TMAB-Cur-NPs was conducted by cytotoxicity experiments. Qualitative and quantitative cell uptake studies using coumarin-6 (fluorescent probe)-loaded NPs were performed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Pharmacokinetics and biodistribution experiments in vivo were assessed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The release kinetics showed that both Fab'-Cur-NPs and TMAB-Cur-NPs provided continuous, slow release of curcumin for 72 h, with no significant difference. In vitro cytotoxicity experiments showed that Fab'-Cur-NPs manifested prominent ability to kill HER2-overexpressing BT-474 cells compared with TMAB-Cur-NPs. Qualitative and quantitative cell uptake studies indicated that the accumulation of Fab'-NPs was greater than that of TMAB-NPs in BT-474 (HER2+) cells; However, there was no significant difference in MDA-MB-231 (HER2-) cells. Pharmacokinetics and biodistribution experiments in vivo demonstrated that the half-life (t1/2) and area under the blood concentration-time curve (AUC0-t) of Fab'-Cur-NPs increased 5.30-fold and 1.76-fold relative to those of TMAB-Cur-NPs, respectively. Furthermore, the tumor accumulation of Fab'-Cur-NPs was higher than that of TMAB-Cur-NPs. Fab' fragment has greater capacity than the intact antibody to achieve tumor targeting through NP-based delivery.

Curcumin is one of the polyphenols, which has been known for its medicinal use since long time. Curcumin shows poor solubility and low absorption, and therefore, its use as nanoparticles is beneficial due to their greater solubility and absorption. The main aim of the present study was the formation of curcumin nanoparticles (Nano curcu), evaluation of their antibacterial activity against human pathogenic bacteria and formulation of Nano curcu-based cream. We synthesized Nano curcu by sonication method. The synthesis of Nano curcu was assessed for their solubility in water and by UV–visible spectrophotometry. Further, the nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking and analysis, and zeta potential analysis. In vitro antibacterial activity of Nano curcu was evaluated against Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . The cream containing Nano curcu was found to be effective against human bacterial pathogens and hence can be used for treatment of bacterial diseases.

Sr 2 NiCoAl 0.3 Fe 27.7 O 46 X-Type hexa-nano-ferrites were prepared using a co-precipitation route, coated with Chitosan, and synthesized into a ferrite chitosan curcumin nanoparticle system. This combination enhances curcumin’s therapeutic properties, chitosan’s bioavailability, and ferrite’s magnetic targeting potential, offering improved cellular uptake and diagnostic applications. Nandrolone decanote (ND), one of the class II anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs), quickly spreading as a class of medications used in both clinical and illegal settings. AAS can enhance tolerance to exercise, so they are taken illegally by bodybuilders and adolescents. However, the abuse of AASs can lead to serious and irreversible organ toxicity. This study designed to investigate the therapeutics effect of nano ferrite chitosan curcumin nanoparticles (NF-CH-CurNPs) against ND induced hepatic toxicity, proliferation, inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage in male rats. 48 adult male rats assigned to 6 groups [1st Gp, control; 2nd Gp, CurNPs; 3rd Gp, NF-CH-CurNPs; 4th Gp, ND; 5th Gp, ND + CurNPs; 6th Gp. ND + NF-CH-CurNPs]. Current results revealed, a significant elevation in the levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), total proteins, liver DNA damage, injury, malondialdehyde (MDA), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and a significant depletion in albumin, catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) after ND administration as compared to control and CurNPs groups. Treatment of ND with CurNPs or NF-CH-CurNPs significantly improved liver functions, structure, oxidative stress, DNA damage, PCNA, and TNFα expressions, with NF-CH-CurNPs showing potential for scavenging free radicals.

Endogenous androgens are pivotal in the development and progression of prostate cancer (PC). We investigated nanoparticle formulations of curcumin and piperine in modulating steroidogenesis within PC cells. Using multiple PC cell lines (LNCaP, VCaP, DU145 and PC3) we studied the effects of curcumin, piperine, and their nanoparticle formulations—curcumin nanoparticles, piperine nanoparticles, and curcumin–piperine nanoparticles (CPN)—on cell viability, migration, and steroid biosynthesis. Curcumin and its nanoparticle formulations significantly reduced cell viability in PC cells, with curcumin–piperine nanoparticles showing the highest efficacy. These treatments also inhibited cell migration, with CPN exhibiting the most pronounced effect. In assays for steroid biosynthesis, curcumin, and its nanoparticle formulations, as well as piperine and its nanoparticles, selectively inhibited 17α-hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase activities of cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1). Abiraterone, a CYP17A1 inhibitor, displayed a broader inhibition of steroid metabolism including cytochrome P450 21-hydroxylase activity, whereas curcumin and piperine provided a more targeted inhibition profile. Analysis of steroid metabolites by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed that CPN caused significant reduction of androstenedione and cortisol, suggesting potential synergistic effects. In conclusion, nanoformulations co-loaded with curcumin and piperine offer an effective approach to targeting steroidogenesis and could be promising candidates for therapies aimed at managing androgen-dependent PC.

Corneal ulcers, whether melting or indolent, are common in humans and companion animals. Treatment involves local administration of antibiotic eye drops and corneal healing drugs. Compared to traditional treatments for ulcerative keratitis, herbal medicines offer unique advantages, such as potent anti-inflammatory effects and inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines. Curcumin, extracted from the Curcuma Longa plant, possesses extensive pharmacological properties, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antioxidant properties, and is used in various medicines. In this study, we developed a novel ophthalmic drop hydrogel using a formulation of Curcumin NPs encapsulated with β-cyclodextrin and hyaluronic acid, to accelerate corneal healing and improve the quality of healed structures. The formation of Curcumin NPs into Hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels was characterized by zeta, FTIR, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses. A total of 25 healthy male New Zealand Albino rabbits were experimentally induced with ulcerative keratitis and treated individually with topical medication. Rabbits were divided into five groups. Fluorescein dye staining, corneal clarity score, Schirmer tear test, proinflammatory cytokine measurement, and pathologic factors assessments were used to evaluate the optimised Curcumin NPs with β-cyclodextrin in Hyaluronic acid hydrogel. Our results demonstrated that the optimized Curcumin NPs with β-cyclodextrin in hyaluronic acid hydrogel significantly reduced the frequency of medication administration compared to conventional therapies, enhancing the quality of healed structures and effectively treating ulcerative keratitis. All findings in this study provide new insight into designing and fabricating novel ophthalmic medicine for ulcerative keratitis for topical usage.

Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HANPs) have extensive applications in biomedicine and tissue engineering. However, little information is known about their toxicity. Here, we aim to investigate the possible neurotoxicity of HANPs and the possible protective role of chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) and curcumin nanoparticles (CUNPs) against this toxicity. In our study, HANPs significantly reduced the levels of neurotransmitters, including acetylcholine (Ach), dopamine (DA), serotonin (SER), epinephrine (EPI), and norepinephrine (NOR). HANPs significantly suppressed cortical expression of the genes controlling mitochondrial biogenesis such as peroxisome proliferator activator receptor gamma coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (mTFA). Our findings revealed significant neuroinflammation associated with elevated apoptosis, lipid peroxidation, oxidative DNA damage and nitric oxide levels with significant decline in the antioxidant enzymes activities and glutathione (GSH) levels in HANPs-exposed rats. Meanwhile, co-supplementation of HANP-rats with CNPs and/or CUNPs significantly showed improvement in levels of neurotransmitters, mitochondrial biogenesis, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and neuroinflammation. The co-supplementation with both CNPs and CUNPs was more effective to ameliorate HANPs-induced neurotoxicity than each one alone. So, CNPs and CUNPs could be promising protective agents for prevention of HANPs-induced neurotoxicity.

The current study investigated the effects of dietary curcumin nanoparticles (C-NPs) on the performance, hemato-biochemical profile, digestive enzymes activities, antioxidant status, humoral immunity, and liver and intestinal histology of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Fish (4.3 ± 0.5 g) were fed with diets enriched with 0.0 (control), 15, 30, 45, and 60 mg C-NPs/kg diet up to apparent satiety thrice a day for 60 days. The growth-stimulating effects of dietary C-NPs were significantly observed in terms of final weight, weight gain %, specific growth rate, and feed intake. Compared with the control group, serum amylase, lipase, and proteases activities of Nile tilapia significantly (P < 0.05) increased alongside the increase in dietary levels of C-NPs in a dose-dependent manner. The counts of red blood cells and white blood cells as well as hemoglobin and hematocrit levels of Nile tilapia fed with 30–60 mg C-NPs/kg diet were statistically (P < 0.05) higher than fish in the control group with no significant differences among them (P > 0.05). Moreover, lymphocytes and monocytes significantly (P > 0.05) increased; meanwhile neutrophils significantly (P > 0.05) decreased as C-NPs levels in diets increased. In a similar trend, antioxidant (malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) and humoral immunity (lysozyme and total immunoglobulin) biomarkers were significantly higher in C-NPs-fed fish. Liver histology showed improvements in the cell architecture of fish fed with C-NPs containing diets up to 45 mg/kg diet. Compared with the control diet, feeding Nile tilapia with C-NPs diets resulted in a higher villi length/width and absorption area. According to the regression curves, the current study recommends using the dietary C-NP with optimum values of 45–55 mg/kg diet to improve the performance, digestive enzymes, antioxidant activities, and immunity response of Nile tilapia.

Nano-anticancer drugs are gaining importance in cancer treatment due to their unique properties and wide range of applications. The efforts are made to synthesize silver nanoparticles by a green method and used as nano-carriers for curcumin. Green synthesis of the gum-stabilized AgNPs was monitored by UV–Vis spectrophotometry and the possible interactions of gum with AgNPs were evaluated by FT-IR. The curcumin-loaded AgNPs were characterized for their size, polydispersity index, ζ potential, morphology, size distribution, drug loading efficiency, and excipients’ interactions. The prepared nano-anticancer formulations were characterized and tested for anti-cancer potentials against MM-138, FM-55 and MCF-7 cell lines, respectively. The AgNPs acted as excellent nano-carriers for an increased amount of curcumin. In in vitro anticancer study, the IC50 values for AgNPs, curcumin, and curcumin-loaded AgNPs were 166.3, 82.2 and 61.6 µg/mL; 153.2, 107.3 and 77.1 µg/mL; and 144.6, 81.2 and 60.6 µg/mL against MM-138, FM-55 and MCF-7 cell lines, respectively. It was observed that silver nanoparticles showed good loading capacity for curcumin. Also, the curcumin-loaded nanoparticles showed good anticancer activities against MM-138, FM-55 and MCF-7 cell lines, respectively. The reported nano-anticancer drug formulations may be tested in vivo studies and clinical trials for treating cancer in the future.

The present work was conducted to investigate the effect of curcumin nanoparticles (CUR NPs) on cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicty and nephrotoxicity in rats. Rats were divided randomly into the following: control, rats treated daily with CUR NPs (50 mg/kg body wt/day) for 14 days, rats treated with a single dose of cisplatin (12 mg/kg body wt, i.p), and rats treated with a single dose of cisplatin followed by a daily administration of CUR NPs for 14 days. Cisplatin-induced hepato- and nephrotoxicity were evaluated by histological examinations and biochemical analyses of liver and kidney functions. Cisplatin induced significant increases in the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and in the levels of bilirubin, urea, uric acid and creatinine. In addition, the levels of hepatic and renal lipid peroxidation (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) increased significantly. However, cisplatin significantly decreased hepatic and renal reduced glutathione levels and renal Na + /K + -ATPase activity. Treatment with CUR NPs ameliorated almost all the biochemical changes induced by cisplatin and improved the histopathological alterations in liver and kidney. In conclusion, the present findings indicate that CUR NPs offered an effective protection against cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

An amorphous curcumin (CUR) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticle complex (nanoplex) was previously developed as a promising anticancer nanotherapy. The CUR-BSA nanoplex had been characterized in its aqueous suspension form. The present work developed a dry-powder form of the CUR-BSA nanoplex by lyophilization using sucrose as a cryoprotectant. The cryoprotective activity of sucrose was examined at sucrose mass fractions of 33.33, 50.00, and 66.66% by evaluating the lyophilized nanoplex’s (1) aqueous reconstitution and (2) CUR dissolution and kinetic solubility. The physicochemical stabilizing effects of sucrose upon the nanoplex’s 30-day exposures to 40 °C and 75% relative humidity were examined from (i) aqueous reconstitution, (ii) CUR dissolution, (iii) CUR and BSA payloads, (iv) amorphous form stability, and (v) BSA’s structural integrity. The good cryoprotective activity of sucrose was evidenced by the preserved BSA’s integrity and good aqueous reconstitution, resulting in a fast CUR dissolution rate and a high kinetic solubility (≈5–9× thermodynamic solubility), similar to the nanoplex suspension. While the aqueous reconstitution, CUR dissolution, and amorphous form were minimally affected by the elevated heat and humidity exposures, the treated nanoplex exhibited a lower BSA payload (≈7–26% loss) and increased protein aggregation postexposure. The adverse effects on the BSA payload and aggregation were minimized at higher sucrose mass fractions.