article · Molecules
This research aimed to overcome the limitations of curcumin, a natural compound with medical applications, specifically its low solubility and poor stability. The study developed dry proniosomes as a nanodelivery system for curcumin. Using a statistical optimisation method, an ideal formulation (F5) was created, which demonstrated good flowability and formed spherical nanovesicles upon reconstitution. This formulation achieved high drug entrapment efficiency and sustained release over 12 hours, showing improved stability compared to traditional niosomes. Computational modelling suggested curcumin could bind to the Herpes simplex virus DNA polymerase. Importantly, the proniosome-delivered curcumin exhibited significantly enhanced antiviral activity and safety compared to curcumin alone. It also improved the safety profile of acyclovir and reduced the amount needed for full viral plaque reduction.
This work addresses challenges in using curcumin, a natural compound, as a medicine. By improving its delivery, it could become a more effective and safer antiviral agent. This approach might also enhance existing antiviral treatments, offering new strategies for managing viral infections.
This early-stage research presents a novel nanodelivery system for curcumin, potentially enabling its use as a safer and more effective antiviral agent. It could be developed into a therapeutic for viral infections, such as those caused by Herpes simplex virus, or as an adjunct to existing antiviral drugs like acyclovir. Further development would involve in vivo testing and clinical trials.
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Curcumin is a natural compound that has many medical applications. However, its low solubility and poor stability could impede its clinical applications. The present study aimed to formulate dry proniosomes to overcome these pitfalls and improve the therapeutic efficacy of Curcumin. Curcumin-loaded proniosomes were fabricated by the slurry method according to 3<sup>2</sup> factorial design using Design-Expert software to demonstrate the impact of different independent variables on entrapment efficiency (EE%) and % drug released after 12 h (Q<sub>12h</sub>). The optimized formula (F5) was selected according to the desirability criteria. F5 exhibited good flowability and appeared, after reconstitution, as spherical nanovesicles with EE% of 89.94 ± 2.31% and Q<sub>12h</sub> of 70.89 ± 1.62%. F5 demonstrated higher stability and a significant enhancement of Q<sub>12h</sub> than the corresponding niosomes. The docking study investigated the ability of Curcumin to bind effectively with the active site of DNA polymerase of Herpes simplex virus (HSV). The antiviral activity and the safety of F5 were significantly higher than Curcumin. F5 improved the safety of Acyclovir (ACV) and reduced its effective dose that produced a 100% reduction of viral plaques. Proniosomes could be promising stable carriers of Curcumin to be used as a safe and efficient antiviral agent.
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DOI: 10.3390/molecules25235668
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