Polysorbate-80-coated, polymeric curcumin nanoparticles for in vivo anti-depressant activity across BBB and envisaged biomolecular mechanism of action through a proposed pharmacophore model

Abstract

Depression is a modern world epidemic. Its main causative factor is oxidative stress, as reported in study subjects. Natural products are yet to show significant therapeutic effects in comparison with synthetic drugs. Current study deals with the preparation of brain-targeted polysorbate-80-coated curcumin PLGA nanoparticles (PS-80-CUR-NP), and their characterisation via Spectral and optical methods. PS-80-CUR-NP were evaluated against the oxidative stress-mediated depressant (OSMD) activity via Force despair, Tail suspension tests and stress biomarker assay (SOD and catalase activity). A significant reduction in immobility (p < 0.01) in force despair and tail suspension test and a significant increase (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01) in SOD and catalase activity was found and compared with stress control, which confirmed the OSMD activity of PS-80-CUR-NP at 5 mg equivalent dose. Further, AUC_{(0.5–15 h)} curve of brain homogenates estimated the curcumin concentration of 1.73 ng/g C_max at T_max 3 h via HPLC technique.

Keywords:

• Curcumin
• brain-targeted nanoparticles
• oxidative stress-mediated depressant activity
• superoxide dismutase assay
• catalase assay

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful for laboratory and Animal House facilities at Hamdard University, New Delhi and UGC, New Delhi for granting research fellowship.

Disclosure statement

There are no conflicts of interest.