International Journal of Nanomedicine (May 2020)
Liposomal Encapsulated Curcumin Effectively Attenuates Neuroinflammatory and Reactive Astrogliosis Reactions in Glia Cells and Organotypic Brain Slices
Abstract
Christina Schmitt,1 Anna Lechanteur,2 François Cossais,1 Coralie Bellefroid,2 Philipp Arnold,1 Ralph Lucius,1 Janka Held-Feindt,3 Geraldine Piel,2 Kirsten Hattermann1 1Institute of Anatomy, University Kiel, Kiel D-24098, Germany; 2Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy (LTPB), CIRM, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; 3Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein UKSH, Kiel D-24105, GermanyCorrespondence: Kirsten HattermannInstitute of Anatomy, University Kiel, Olshausenstr. 40, Kiel D-24098, GermanyTel +49 431 880 2460Fax +49 431 880 1557Email [email protected]: The polyphenolic spice and food coloring ingredient curcumin has beneficial effects in a broad variety of inflammatory diseases. Amongst them, curcumin has been shown to attenuate microglia reaction and prevent from glial scar formation in spinal cord and brain injuries.Methods: We developed a protocol for the efficient encapsulation of curcumin as a model for anti-inflammatory drugs yielding long-term stable, non-toxic liposomes with favorable physicochemical properties. Subsequently, we evaluate the effects of liposomal curcumin in experimental models for neuroinflammation and reactive astrogliosis.Results: We could show that liposomal curcumin can efficiently reduce the reactivity of human microglia and astrocytes and preserve tissue integrity of murine organotypic cortex slices.Discussion and Perspective: In perspective, we want to administer this curcumin formulation in brain implant coatings to prevent neuroinflammation and glial scar formation as foreign body responses of the brain towards implanted materials.Keywords: glial scar, neuroinflammation, nanoparticles, brain implants
