In vitro cell uptake evaluation of curcumin-loaded PCL/F68 nanoparticles for potential application in neuronal diseases

Curcumin is the major polyphenolic compound of Curcuma longa. It has been found to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The latter property could be exploited as a treatment for neuronal diseases. However, its medical application is limited due to its poor solubility in aqueous phase and fast degradation. Nanoparticle-based drug-delivery platforms are suitable carriers for overcoming pharmacokinetic limitations and enhancing drug transport, and they exhibit minimal toxicity. The purpose of this article was to assemble curcumin-loaded poly-epsilon-caprolactone nanoparticles by means of the emulsification-diffusion method using Pluronic (R) F68 as a stabilizer for in vitro evaluation in MIO-M1 and SH-SY5Y cells, which are cells involved on neuronal diseases. The curcumin-loaded nanoparticles obtained, with a mean particle size of 149.0 +/- 2.2 nm, were characterized by physicochemical and biological techniques. Results showed that curcumin was loaded with 96% efficacy. Additionally, the cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles was evaluated in vitro in MIO-M1 and SH-SY5Y cells, demonstrating adequate biocompatibility. Cell uptake was analyzed with MIO-M1 cells, exhibiting high internalization rate. These results indicate that curcumin-loaded nanoparticles could be a potential alternative treatment for neuronal diseases as spinocerebellar ataxias and Parkinson's disease.