Diabetes is associated with an increase in the production of free radicals, reduction of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4,
THB) levels and reduced bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) in the vascular walls. In this contribution, we probed
explored the effective efficient role of curcumin nanoparticles (CUR-NPs) that prepared via solvent evaporation
nanoprecipitation technique as potential system to attenuate endothelial dysfunction. In this technique, Tween
60 (polysorbate) was used as stabilizing agent for the prepared CUR-NPs and protect such nanoparticles from
further agglomeration. BH4 levels and other parameters were estimated in diabetic rats. To this end, we dedicated
48 male albino rats, categorized into six groups; control (healthy rats), diabetic rats, along with four
treated groups via oral administration of 0.2 mL/kg body weight/day of solutions of Tween 60 (60 mg/mL), free
CUR (60 mg/mL), CUR-NPs1 (30 mg/mL), and CUR-NPs2 (60 mg/mL) for 30 days. Results showed that the mean
level of malondialdehyde (MDA) has been significantly increased in diabetic group associated with a reduction of
total antioxidant capacity, NO, and BH4 compared to control. These parameters were restored by the delivery of
CUR-NPs – both doses in rats, compared with the two control groups that treated with Tween 60 and free CUR. |
