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. 2020 Feb 6;25(3):689. doi: 10.3390/molecules25030689

Table 1.

A list of different curcumin nanocarriers with their characteristics and applications under in vitro and in vivo settings.

Polymer Size Zeta Potential LC or EE Cell Line/Animal Model Advantages Refs.
BSA@CUR NPs 92.59 ± 16.75 nm −9.19 mV 18.3% MCF-7 cells Increased therapeutic efficacy [77]
Curcumin in BSA-dextran NP 115 nm 2.8% Caco-2 cells Better stability
Improve the cellular antioxidant activity of curcumin
[91]
Curcumin cross-linked HSA NPs 125 nm −12.36 ± 0.73 to −10.88 ± 0.6 mV was dependent on the particle size A549 cells Improved cellular uptake
Increased the cytotoxicity
[92]
Curcumin-loaded zein NPs 66 nm +17.1 mV 7.3 ± 0.1% GIT model May be useful for application in functional foods or beverages [93]
Curcumin-zein/rhamnolipid complex 77.29 nm −31 mV To +3 mV EE: 98.05% In vitro simulated gastrointestinal tract Protect hydrophobic bioactive compounds [94]
Pectin-coated CZ NPs 250 nm to 600 nm −45 to −50 mV 5% Simulated gastrointestinal digestive condition Enhanced antioxidant activity in an aqueous environment [95]
Curcumin-loaded zein NPs with (SC) and (SA) 190 nm 17 mV to 19.8 mV EE: 36.10% to 76.06% Improving the water solubility
Improving photochemical stability improving antioxidant activity
[96]
Curcumin-loaded silk fibroin NPs 155 nm to 170 nm −45 mV EE: 50% Kelly Cells Higher efficacy in cytotoxicity [7]
Curcumin plus SFNs 71 ± 10 nm 1.50 ± 0.11 to 11.40 ± 0.76 In vitro model of osteoarthritis Exhibited a synergistic antioxidant effect
Improve cyto- and hemo-compatibility
[97]
CUR-loaded silk NPs 229 nm to 2286 nm −17.8 nm to −18.9 mV 22 to 41% Rats Longer plasma circulation time [98]
CUR Loaded RBA−CS NPs 778 nm Negative EE: 93.56% Caco-2 cells A great potential application for hydrophobic active agent delivery [99]
Zein-HA NPs 186.4 nm –35.2 to −28.7 mV 3.66% Simulate gastrointestinal digestion Better stability of anti-light degradation, and control release [100]
SSPS NPs 200 nm to 300 nm EE: 90% HCT116 and MCF-7 cells Improved activity
Improvement in the anti-proliferative activity
[101]
Cur-ACRU/CS NPs 200 nm to 450 nm +15 mV 5.4% Caco-2 cells Improved permeability efficiency of free curcumin [102]
Cur-Chitosan NPs 167 nm to 251 nm + 18.1 to + 20.2 mV EE: 80% HaCaT cells Superior drug release
Enhanced transdermal permeation of curcumin
A superior percentage of cell viability
[103]
CDG-CANPs 215 nm −24.1 mV 27% Caco-2 cells Improvement of physicochemical stabilities, digestibility, bioaccessibility and cellular uptake [104]
CUR-AlgNP 100-600 nm −36.0± 0.4 EE: 68.3% HeLa and H9c2 Kills the cancer cell lines at lower concentrations [105]
Cur-CS/Alg NPs 199 nm to 1120 nm −30.8 mV to −10.8 mV 0% to 27.4% HaCaT cells Improved the cellular uptake of curcumin [106]
Starch NPs < 250 nm −30 mV EE: 80% Simulated gastric and intestinal fluids Higher encapsulation efficiency [107]
OSA starch loaded nano curcumin 10 nm to 50 nm HeLa cells Anti-cancer potential
Significant enhancement in cellular uptake
Increase bioavailability
More controlled release
[108]
Curcumin-load film 159 ± 31 nm in length and 2 nm in width. Rat Improved the regeneration of hair follicles
And sebaceous glands of the skin
Attenuated the bacterial growth
[109]
Cur- NLCs 500 nm EE~58.8 ± 3.5 Mouse Reducing the pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in the skin [110]
ANC NPs ≤150 nm -31.2 ± 3.66 mV EE > 90% L929 and MCF-7 cells Inhibit microbial growth
Prevent preferential killing of cancer cells compared to normal cells
[111]
WPI-Lac/EGCG NPs 110 nm 27 mV Better protective effect on the breakdown of curcumin in Pickering emulsions
More even droplet distribution
Greater thermal stability
Higher curcumin percentage retention
[112]
CUR-Loaded Gel-mPEG Nanogels 147 ± 5.2 nm −12.8 ± 0.6 7.9 ± 0.2%, HeLa cells Improved solubility
Enhanced therapeutic efficacy
[113]
Curcumin-loaded BSA NPs 150 nm Negative EE: 45% Murine melanoma model Increase in survival rate associated with a reduction in tumor size [114]
Curcumin loading EWP 59.25 nm to 431.3 nm >+30 mV 11.2 mg/g Protect the antioxidant activity of encapsulated curcumin [115]
Curcumin-PECs 264.0 ± 3.1 nm EE: 53% HCT116 cells Induced cell cycle arrest
Exhibited cytotoxic effect
[116]