Curcumin implants for continuous systemic delivery: Safety and biocompatibility

Shyam S. Bansal, Hina Kausar, Farrukh Aqil, Jeyaprakash Jeyabalan, Manicka V. Vadhanam, Ramesh C. Gupta, Srivani Ravoori

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Curcumin, an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-neoplastic agent, exhibited limited oral efficacy due to its poor bioavailability. To overcome this limitation, polymeric implants for continuous systemic delivery of curcumin were developed and tested for their safety and biocompatibility. Two 2-cm polycaprolactone implants containing polyethylene glycol and 20% (w/w) curcumin were grafted subcutaneously at the back of the Augustus Copenhagen Irish rats. Rats were euthanized and blood was analyzed for various hematological parameters; biochemical markers of liver/kidney function and local tissues were analyzed for local inflammatory reactions. Curcumin implants exhibited biphasic release kinetics with ~3. 6 + 0. 8, 5. 8 ± 1. 1, 13. 1 ± 2. 1, 21. 8 ± 0. 3, 38. 1 ± 0. 6, and 47. 2 ± 1. 6 mg cumulative curcumin being released from both the implants after 1, 4, 12, 25, and 90 days. No significant differences in various hematological parameters (like white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin), liver enzymes (like aspartate transaminase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, amylase, or lipase), or biochemical parameters of kidney function (like blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, Ca 2+, Na +, and Cl - levels) were observed at any of these time points. However, a significant increase in serum phosphorus levels was observed at all the time points in sham implants as well as in curcumin diet and implant groups. Local implantation site showed foreign body granulomatous reaction with influx of histiocytes and occasional multi-nucleated giant cells with sham implants and was minimal around the curcumin implants. These polymeric implants were found to have little or no systemic toxicity with an acute reaction at local site which was reduced significantly by curcumin implants.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)332-341
Number of pages10
JournalDrug Delivery and Translational Research
Volume1
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2011

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Pharmaceutical Science

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