Facile Synthesis of Curcumin Nanocrystals and Validation of Its Antioxidant Activity Against Circulatory Toxicity in Wistar Rats

Our investigation was carried out in two phases. First we synthesized curcumin nanocrystals using a simple precipitation method and characterized their absorbance, crystallinity, size, and morphology by UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy, High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) and Particle size Analyzer (PSA), in comparison with bulk curcumin. Characterization studies revealed that the protocol we standardized resulted in Curcumin nanocrystals with 10-200 nm size which was fairly soluble in water in contrast to bulk curcumin. Due to its crystallinity, nanocurcumin that we synthesized was also referred as Curcumin Nanocrystals. In Phase 2, we have assessed the comparative antioxidant efficacy of Curcumin nanocrystals and bulk Curcumin in the circulation of 1,2-dimethyl hydrazine-treated rats by investigating lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase), GSH and GSH-dependent detoxification enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase). Curcumin nanocrystals exerted its antioxidant effect by decreasing lipid peroxidation, and by enhancing the activities of antioxidant and detoxification enzymes studied. Curcumin nanocrystals exhibited its antioxidant action at 40 mg dose whereas the bulk curcumin exerted its effect at 80 mg dose. This may be due to enhanced solubility, dispersibility, and crystallinity of the nanocrystals, which might have enhanced its bioavailability when compared to poorly soluble bulk curcumin.