Topical Delivery of Curcumin-Loaded Transfersomes Gel Ameliorated Rheumatoid Arthritis by Inhibiting NF-κβ Pathway

Abstract

Aim: To fabricate and evaluate curcumin-loaded transfersomes (Cur-TF) for the targeted delivery and enhanced therapeutic efficacy of curcumin for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Modified thin-film hydration method was used to prepare Cur-TF which were then embedded into carbopol-934 gel. They were further evaluated through in vitro techniques and in an in vivo arthritis model. Results: Cur-TF had optimal particle size, spherical morphology, high encapsulation efficiency and sustained drug release profiles. The Cur-TF gel had better in vitro skin penetration than plain curcumin. In vivo findings demonstrated improved clinical, histological and x-ray scores and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines through NF-κβ inhibition. Conclusion: Cur-TF gel delivered curcumin to the arthritic dermal tissue through a topical route and demonstrated promising therapeutic efficacy by significantly alleviating complete Freud’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis.

Graphical abstract

Keywords::

• Carbopol-934 gel
• curcumin
• phospholipon 90 G
• rheumatoid arthritis
• transfersomes

Supplementary data

To view the supplementary data that accompany this paper please visit the journal website at: www.tandfonline.com/doi/suppl/10.2217/nnm-2020-0316

Author contributions

E Sana performed experimental work and wrote the first draft of the manuscript; M Zeeshan – Assisted in transfersomes preparation, characterization and editing; Quratulain – helped in designing in vivo experiment; AU Khan – Assisted in the animal study; I Hussain – supported in TEM images and improve the language of the manuscript; S Khan; helped in the design of in vivo data; E Lepeltier – analyzed the data and proofread the manuscript; H Ali supervised the entire work and edited the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan is hereby acknowledged for their financial support under the SRGP funding (No. IPFP/HRD/HEC/2014/1675). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Writing support was provided by Enago and was funded by the HEC, Pakistan under NRPU funding (9272/Federal/NRPU/R&D/HEC/2017).

Ethical conduct of research

The authors state that they have obtained appropriate institutional review board approval or have followed the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki for all human or animal experimental investigations.

Additional information

Funding

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan is hereby acknowledged for their financial support under the SRGP funding (No. IPFP/HRD/HEC/2014/1675). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.