US EPA

1248979 

Journal Article 

Curcumin encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles: A novel strategy for the treatment of arsenic toxicity 

Yadav, A; Lomash, V; Samim, M; Flora, SJS 

2012 

Yes 

Chemico-Biological Interactions
ISSN: 0009-2797
EISSN: 1872-7786 

199 

1 

49-61 

English 

22704994 

10.1016/j.cbi.2012.05.011 

WOS:000307419600006 

Water-soluble nanoparticles of curcumin were synthesized, characterized and applied as a stable detoxifying agent for arsenic poisoning. Chitosan nanoparticles of less than 50nm in diameter containing curcumin were prepared. The particles were characterized by TEM, DLS and FT-IR. The therapeutic efficacy of the encapsulated curcumin nanoparticles (ECNPs) against arsenic-induced toxicity in rats was investigated. Sodium arsenite (2mg/kg) and ECNPs (1.5 or 15mg/kg) were orally administered to male Wistar rats for 4weeks to evaluate the therapeutic potential of ECNPs in blood and soft tissues. Arsenic significantly decreased blood δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (δ-ALAD) activity, reduced glutathione (GSH) and increased blood reactive oxygen species (ROS). These changes were accompanied by increases in hepatic total ROS, oxidized glutathione, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance levels. By contrast, hepatic GSH, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities significantly decreased on arsenic exposure, indicative of oxidative stress. Brain biogenic amines (dopamine, norepinephrine and 5-hydroxytryptamine) levels also showed significant changes on arsenic exposure. Co-administration of ECNPs provided pronounced beneficial effects on the adverse changes in oxidative stress parameters induced by arsenic. The results indicate that ECNPs have better antioxidant and chelating potential (even at the lower dose of 1.5mg/kg) compared to free curcumin at 15mg/kg. The significant neurochemical and immunohistochemical protection afforded by ECNPs indicates their neuroprotective efficacy. The formulation provides a novel therapeutic regime for preventing arsenic toxicity. 

Nanoencapsulation; Curcumin; Arsenic; Oxidative stress; Preventive therapy