Journal of Nanomedicine & Nanotechnology

Abstract

Multifunctional Curcumin-Nanocarriers Based on Host-Guest Interactions for Alzheimer Disease Diagnostic

Ramdani L, Bourboulou R, Belkouch M, Jebors S, Tauran Y, Parizot C, Suwinska K, Coleman AW, Duyckaerts C and Lazar AN

The accumulation of amyloid peptides 40 and 42 in senile plaques is one of the hallmark lesions of Alzheimer Disease (AD). Great efforts are currently made to design molecules able to target these lesions in brain, both for diagnostic and therapeutic aims. Recent studies showed that curcumin has high affinity for the amyloid deposits. Curcumin is a fluorescent molecule with wide pharmaceutical activities, including potent anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties. Still, its low solubility limits its clinical and preclinical use. The use of controlled stoichiometric ratios between curcumin and host molecules like Methyl-β-cyclodextrin, para-sulphonato-calix(4)arene and para-sulphonato-calix(6)arene allowed the solubilisation of curcumin and the formation of stable nanocarriers. Within the nanocarriers, curcumin was available at their surfaces, being able to interact with the environment. They showed high affinity for the amyloid deposits, strongly labeling not only the senile plaques but also the diffuse deposits of Alzheimer Disease brains. Their biocompatibility was proved on several cell lines. Moreover, they were shown to interact with the Aβ peptide, reducing its aggregation and preventing its toxicity.