Versatile Near-Infrared Super-Resolution Imaging of Amyloid Fibrils with the Fluorogenic Probe CRANAD-2

CRANAD-2 is a fluorogenic curcumin derivative used for near-infrared detection and imaging in vivo of amyloid aggregates, which are involved in neurodegenerative diseases. We explore the performance of CRANAD-2 in two super-resolution imaging techniques, namely stimulated emission depletion (STED) and single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM), with markedly different fluorophore requirements. By conveniently adapting the concentration of CRANAD-2, which transiently binds to amyloid fibrils, we show that it performs well in both techniques, achieving a resolution in the range of 45–55 nm. Correlation of SMLM with atomic force microscopy (AFM) validates the resolution of fine features in the reconstructed super-resolved image. The good performance and versatility of CRANAD-2 provides a powerful tool for near-infrared nanoscopic imaging of amyloids in vitro and in vivo.     

Improved Dermal and Transdermal Delivery of Curcumin with SmartFilms and Nanocrystals

Poor aqueous solubility of active compounds is a major issue in today’s drug delivery. In this study the smartFilm-technology was exploited to improve the dermal penetration efficacy of a poorly soluble active compound (curcumin). Results were compared to the dermal penetration efficacy of curcumin from curcumin bulk suspensions and nanocrystals, respectively. The smartFilms enabled an effective dermal and transdermal penetration of curcumin, whereas curcumin bulk- and nanosuspensions were less efficient when the curcumin content was similar to the curcumin content in the smartFilms. Interestingly, it was found that increasing numbers of curcumin particles within the suspensions increased the passive dermal penetration of curcumin. The effect is caused by an aqueous meniscus that is created between particle and skin if the dispersion medium evaporates. The connecting liquid meniscus causes a local swelling of the stratum corneum and maintains a high local concentration gradient between drug particles and skin. Thus, leading to a high local passive dermal penetration of curcumin. The findings suggest a new dermal penetration mechanism for active compounds from nano-particulate drug delivery systems, which can be the base for the development of topical drug products with improved penetration efficacy in the future.     

鱼组织中双去甲氧基姜黄素、去甲氧基姜黄素和姜黄素含量的超高效液相色谱法测定

建立了黄颡鱼、团头鲂和草鱼血浆、肌肉、肝脏、肾脏中双去甲氧基姜黄素、去甲氧基姜黄素和姜黄素同时测定的超高效液相色谱紫外检测法(UPLC-UV)。样品经乙腈(含0.01%乙酸)提取,无水硫酸钠除水,正己烷去脂等样品处理,在ACQUIT UPLC BEH C18色谱柱上分离,428 nm波长处测定。双去甲氧基姜黄素、去甲氧基姜黄素和姜黄素在0.01~5.00 mg/L浓度范围内呈良好的线性关系,相关系数(r2)分别为0.998 7,0.999 8和0.999 6。在空白鱼组织中进行0.025,0.05,0.50,1.00 mg/kg 4个水平的加标回收实验,3种待测组分的平均回收率为64.7%~102.2%,相对标准偏差为0.69%~10.8%。鱼组织中3种待测组分的检出限(LOD)均为0.010 mg/kg,定量下限(LOQ)均为0.025 mg/kg。应用该方法研究了姜黄素在团头鲂体内的药代动力学规律。     

Isolation,characterization, and quantification of curcuminoids and their comparative effects in cerebral ischemia

The study reports a rapid and short analytical technique for separation, characterization, and quantitation along with comparative pharmacological effect of curcuminoids in cerebral ischemia. Flash chromatography, using silica and diol columns along with gradient mobile phase, was utilized to separate three curcuminoids, i.e., curcumin (Cur), demethoxycurcumin (DMC), and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) for the first time. The separated peaks were monitored at 200–360?nm, whereas the purity of compounds (96.2–97.6%) was determined through qualitative analysis such as infrared and ¹H and ¹³C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry (MS), and differential scanning calorimetry. Furthermore, chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) for curcuminoids were prepared and characterized through zeta sizer, zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The developed ultra performance of liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS) method showed simplified automation and shorter run time for Combi flash over conventional separation techniques. The CS-NPs for all the three curcuminoids and combined-curcuminoids (CCr) (combined and administered together for a synergistic effect), following intranasal administration in middle cerebral artery–occluded rats were evaluated for grip strength, locomotor activity, and histopathological examination where the anti-ischemic activity was observed, in terms of potency, for all three CS-NPs and CCr as CCr>Cur>DMC>>BDMC. Cur-CS-NPs exhibited more potency among Cur, DMC, and BDMC, whereas CCr was the more potent anti-ischemic drug compared to Cur, DMC, and BDMC. For Cur the characteristic activity is proposed because of the presence of methoxy group on the phenyl ring whereas for CCr it is synergistic effect of curcuminoids.     

Water-in-Oil-in-Water Nanoemulsions Containing Temulawak (Curcuma xanthorriza Roxb) and Red Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) Extracts

Hydrophobic curcumin in temulawak extract and hydrophilic betacyanin in red dragon fruit extract are high-value bioactive compounds with extensive applications in functional food. In this study, these extracts were encapsulated in water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) nanoemulsions as a delivery system using a two-step high-energy emulsification method. PGPR and Span 20 were used as lipophilic emulsifiers for the primary w/o emulsion. The most stable w/o/w formulation with the least oil phase separation of 5% v/v consisted of w/o emulsion (15% w/w) and Tween 80 (1.5% w/w) as hydrophilic emulsifier. The formulation was characterized by a 189-nm mean droplet diameter, 0.16 polydispersity index, and –32 mV zeta potential. The freeze–thaw stability may be attributed to the combination of low w/o emulsion content and high Tween 80 concentration in the outer water phase of the w/o/w nanoemulsions used in this study. The IC₅₀ values of the nanoemulsion and the red dragon fruit extract were similar. It means that the higher concentration of curcumin in the nanoemulsions and the lower IC₅₀ value of temulawak extract ensured sufficient antioxidant activities of the w/o/w nanoemulsions.     

Studies on Curcumin Loaded Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Silver Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Antibacterial and Drug Releasing Applications

Design of silver nanoparticles containing poly(N-isopropylarclamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogels were prepared by free-radical polymerization of N-isopropylarclamide as an environmentally sensitive monomer and MBA as a crosslinker in an aqueous medium. The embedded silver nanocomposite hydrogels (AgNCH) structure were characterized by, UV-Vis, FTIR, DLS, TEM and X-ray analysis. Curcumin loading and release characteristics were performed for PNIPAAm hydrogel, silver ions loaded hydrogels as well as silver nanocomposite hydrogels. These curcumin loaded silver nanocomposite hydrogels exhibit excellent antibacterial action on Escherichia coli (E. coli). Therefore, the present study clearly provides novel antimicrobial hydrogels which are potentially useful in biomedical applications.     

Curcumin,A Novel Natural Photoinitiator for the Copolymerization of Styrene and Methylmethacrylate

Curcumin (Cur), a natural colorant found in the roots of the Turmeric plant, has been reported for the first time as photoinitiator for the copolymerization of styrene (Sty) and methylmethacrylate (MMA). The kinetic data, inhibiting effect of benzoquinone and ESR studies indicate that the polymerization proceeds via a free radical mechanism. The system follows ideal kinetics (R_p α[Cur]^0.5[Sty]^0.97[MMA]¹). The reactivity ratios calculated by using the Finemann–Ross and Kelen‐Tudos models were r₁(MMA)=0.46 and r₂(Sty)=0.52. IR and NMR analysis confirmed the structure of the copolymer. NMR spectrum showing methoxy protons as three distinct groups of resonance between 2.2–3.75 δ and phenyl protons of styrene at 6.8–7.1 δ confirmed the random nature of the copolymer. The mechanism for formation of radicals and random copolymer of styrene and MMA [Sty‐co‐MMA] is also discussed.     

Development and full validation of an HPLC methodology to quantify atorvastatin and curcumin after their intranasal co‐delivery to mice

There is increasing interest in atorvastatin and curcumin owing to their potential anticancer activity. A new, accurate and sensitive HPLC method was developed, for the first time, to simultaneously quantify atorvastatin and curcumin in mouse plasma and brain, liver, lung and spleen tissues following protein precipitation sample preparation. The chromatographic separation was achieved in 13 min on a C₁₈ column, at 35°C, using a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile–methanol–2% (v/v) acetic acid (37.5:2.5:60, v/v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The detection of analytes and internal standard was carried out at 247, 425 and 250 nm, respectively. According to international guidelines, the method was shown to be selective, with lower limits of quantification ranging from 10 to 500 ng/mL for curcumin, and from 100 to 600 ng/mL for atorvastatin, linear over a wide concentration range (r² ≥ 0.9971) and with acceptable accuracy (bias ± 12.29%) and precision (coefficient of variation ≤13.15%). The analytes were reproducibly recovered at a percentage >81.10% and demonstrated to be stable under various experimental conditions in all biological matrices. This method can be easily applied to in vivo biodistribution studies related to the intranasal administration of atorvastatin and curcumin, separately or simultaneously.     

Synthesis and characterization of PEGylated iron and graphene oxide magnetic composite for curcumin delivery

Nowadays, nanostructures have been given significant attention in medical and biological fields. Among these nanostructures, graphene oxide (GO) has been widely used in drug delivery systems, because of its unique properties, and the ability to connect to other nanostructures such as magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) as well as polymers by its functional groups. In this research, first, GO was prepared by exfoliating graphite according to the modified Hummer’s method, and then the Fe₃O₄ NPs were synthesized by a simple co-precipitation method on GO nanosheets. In the next step, with the help of the ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide/N-hydroxysuccinimide coupling reagents, the polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymer was bonded to the GO-Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite. Finally, anti-cancer drug, curcumin (Cur) was loaded onto the nanocomposite and the Cur loading ratio was measured at about 8%. The samples were evaluated using Fourier transform-infrared, differential scanning calorimtery, vibrating-sample magnetometry, atomic force microscopy and dynamic light scattering techniques. The results show that the prepared nanocomposite is an appropriate candidate for biomedical applications.     

The pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of curcumin and its metabolites in mice

Curcumin (CUR) is the major active component of turmeric and plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of many chronic diseases such as respiratory and neurodegenerative disease. In the present work, a rapid and simple LC–MS/MS method was developed to investigate the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of CUR and its metabolites in mice after intravenous administration of CUR (20 mg/kg). The results showed that the values of AUC_0–∞ were 107.0 ± 18.3, 6.0 ± 1.2 and 12.0 ± 4.0 (mg/L) min, and those for t_1/2z were 32.4 ± 10.8, 6.4 ± 2.4 and 5.6 ± 1.8 min for CUR, dihydrocurcumin (DHC) and tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) in plasma, respectively. CUR and THC could be detected in liver while CUR and DHC were detected in kidney. Only CUR was detected in brain. These findings indicated that THC was the main metabolite of CUR in plasma. The exposure of CUR in plasma was 6‐fold greater than that in liver, kidney and brain.