Comparison of curcumin-based nano-formulations for antidepressant effects in an animal model

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of various nanocarriers for delivering curcumin in a dexamethasone (Dex)-induced depression rat model. Three different types of nanocarriers including curcuminloaded solid self-emulsification drug delivery systems (C-SSEDDS), curcumin loaded solid dispersion without (CSD) and with phospholipid (CSD-S) were prepared to represent lipid-based, polymer-based and polymer/lipid hybrid, respectively. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 main groups including control and depressive group. Control rats received saline injections daily while the depressive rats received Dex 1.5 mg/kg injections daily and followed by orally administration of normal saline or curcumin nano-formulations. Rats were subjected to sucrose preference test every week and forced swimming test after 28 days. On the 29th day, the rat was sacrificed, and the hippocampus and liver were collected to determine histopathological changes. After 4 weeks, the Dex-induced depression group had an average body weight of -200 mg with a sucrose consumption of only 10% and a long immobility time of -40 s. In controversy, all curcumin nanocarriers showed an antidepressant-like effect on depressive rat model, as confirmed by the significantly higher rat body weight of -250 mg and sucrose consumption up to 60%. Additionally, CSD and C-SSEDDS significantly reduced the immobility duration to -10 s. Notably, Dex exhibited toxicity towards hippocampus and liver cell, whereas all curcumin nano-formulations exerted protection and restoration effect on these cells. Our study suggests that curcumin nano-formulations could have a great potential for depression treatment.