Kazemi S, Hesni Langroudi N, Hasani Abharian P, Tavakol K, Taghi Joghataei M, Tavakol S et al . Short-term Efficacy of Commercial Curcumin Nanomicelle on Cognition, Oxidative Stress and Choline Esterase in Alzheimer’s Disease. BCN 2025; 16 (3) :595-608
URL:
http://bcn.iums.ac.ir/article-1-2592-en.html
1- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2- Department of Cognitive Rehabilitation, Brain and Cognition Clinic, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran.
3- College of Medicine, Howard University, Washington DC, United States.
4- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. & Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
5- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. & Department of Research and Development, Tavakol BioMimetic Technologies Co, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract:
Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease accompanied by cognitive dysfunction. Preclinical changes can precede the onset of clinical symptoms by decades, highlighting the need for preventative and therapeutic strategies to mitigate or delay disease progression. This pilot clinical trial aimed to investigate the effects of commercially available curcumin nanomicelles on oxidative stress pathways and serum cholinesterase levels in patients with AD.
Methods: Fifteen volunteers with mild-to-severe AD and 15 age-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Participants with AD received 80 mg of thermodynamically stable 10 nm curcumin nanomicelles on alternate days for two months. Cognitive function, as assessed by the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), did not exhibit significant changes in patients with AD following curcumin nanomicelle administration (19.8 versus 20.6). Serum levels of oxidative stress biomarkers, including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) inhibition, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, and cholinesterase activity, were evaluated before and after intervention.
Results: The results showed no significant differences in cognition improvement, CAT activity, SOD inhibition, MOD concentration, or cholinesterase activity between patients with AD and healthy controls or before and after curcumin nanomicelle administration.
Conclusion: Although curcumin nanocarriers did not enhance antioxidant biomolecule levels, they did not provoke lipid peroxidation. Therefore, this study suggests that optimizing nanocarrier parameters, including concentration, particle size larger than 10 nm, and blood-brain barrier (BBB)targeting, warrants further investigation in a long-term study to explore their potential as supplemental therapies for AD.
Full-Text [PDF 1005 kb]
| |
Full-Text (HTML)
● Commercial curcumin nanomicelles do not change the score of the MMSE questionnaire.
● Commercial curcumin nanomicelles do not induce lipid peroxidation.
● Commercial curcumin nanomicelles do not enhance oxidative stress biomarkers or cholinesterase activity in AD.
● No difference is observed between the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers and cholinesterase activity in healthy and AD patients.
● Optimal concentration and particle size larger than 10 nm may improve the outcomes.
Plain Language Summary
With the increase in the number of aged people, we expect a high rise in brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). It is predicted that, by 2050, over 100 million people will be suffered from AD. Therefore, it is important to find new ways to prevent or slow down AD. One natural compound that has shown promise in lab studies is curcumin, which is one of the primary ingredients in turmeric. Curcumin is known for its ability to fight inflammation and act as an antioxidant, and has the potential to reduce the harmful protein clumps (Aβ plaques) often found in the brains of AD patients. This study aimed to see if nano-sized curcumin (called nanomicelles) can help people with mild to severe AD. Our findings showed that, after two months of taking 80 mg of 10 nm nano-curcumin, there was no significant change in either the memory and thinking abilities or in blood markers compared to the pre-treatment phase or healthy controls. It may be due to the form and dose of curcumin or the duration of consumption. The product did not induce adverse effects. This helps guide future research, preventing others from repeating the study and encouraging them to explore different approaches, such as higher doses, longer treatment periods, or various forms of curcumin and particle size, or to focus on other potential treatments for AD.
Type of Study:
Original |
Subject:
Clinical Neuroscience Received: 2022/11/8 | Accepted: 2024/09/7 | Published: 2025/05/29