Abstract :
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by synovial inflammation and joint destruction, driven by elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-?, IL-1?, and IL-6. Curcumin, a natural polyphenol, exhibits anti-inflammatory properties but suffers from poor systemic bioavailability. Nanocarrier-based delivery systems offer a promising strategy to enhance curcumin’s therapeutic efficacy.Objectives: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory efficacy of curcumin-loaded nanocarriers in a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model and analyze their effect on the modulation of key pro-inflammatory cytokinesMaterials and Methods: Curcumin-loaded nanocarriers were prepared using the nanoprecipitation method and characterized for particle size, zeta potential, and drug encapsulation efficiency. Male BALB/c mice (n=24) were randomly divided into four groups: Control, CIA (untreated), CIA free curcumin, and CIA curcumin-loaded nanocarriers. CIA was induced via intradermal injection of bovine type II collagen emulsified in complete Freund’s adjuvant. Treatment was administered for 21 days. Outcomes measured included clinical arthritis score, paw thickness, serum and joint cytokine levels (TNF-?, IL-1?, IL-6 via ELISA), and histopathological assessment of joint tissue. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test.Results: Nanocarriers exhibited a particle size of ~150 nm, negative zeta potential, and high encapsulation efficiency (>80%). The curcumin-loaded nanocarrier group showed significant reduction in paw swelling and arthritis score compared to the CIA and free curcumin groups (p < 0.05). Cytokine levels in serum and joint tissue were markedly reduced in the nanocarrier-treated group (TNF-?, IL-1?, IL-6; p < 0.001). Histopathology revealed decreased synovial inflammation, cartilage erosion, and joint damage. Statistical validation confirmed the superiority of the nanocarrier group in all parameters.Conclusion: Curcumin-loaded nanocarriers significantly alleviate RA symptoms and suppress pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in the CIA model, indicating their potential as a novel nanotherapeutic strategy for RA management.
Keyword :
Curcumin, Nanocarriers, Rheumatoid arthritis, Cytokines, Inflammation, Collagen-induced arthritis, Drug delivery, TNF-?, IL-1?, IL-6.