Liposomal Encapsulated Curcumin Effectively Attenuates Neuroinflammatory and Reactive Astrogliosis Reactions in Glia Cells and Organotypic Brain Slices

• Main Authors: Schmitt C, Lechanteur A, Cossais F, Bellefroid C, Arnold P, Lucius R, Held-Feindt J, Piel G, Hattermann K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2020-05-01
• Series: International Journal of Nanomedicine
• Subjects: glial scar; neuroinflammation; nanoparticles; brain implants
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/liposomal-encapsulated-curcumin-effectively-attenuates-neuroinflammato-peer-reviewed-article-IJN

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 [phone]Fax [phone]Email [e-mail]: 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