Curcuma longa-Derived Curcumin Nanoparticles in Experimental Models of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Formulation-Based Approach

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder involving the amyloid-β plaque deposition, tau pathology, synaptic dysfunction, and impairment in cognition. Despite years of research, all current treatment modalities are symptomatic rather than effective in preventing disease progression. Curcumin, a natural polyphenol extracted from the plant Curcuma longa, possesses potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-amyloid features, but its therapeutic application is hampered by inadequate aqueous solubility, low permeability across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and poor systemic bioavailability. The goal of this study is to innovate and evaluate the neuroprotection of curcumin-loaded polymeric nanoparticles in Alzheimer\'s disease experimental models. The particle size of formulation F6 was optimal, the polydispersity index was minimised, the efficiency of encapsulation maximised, and a long-term drug release profile was demonstrated. Pharmacological studies in vivo revealed that curcumin nanoparticles significantly improved cognitive function, compared to free curcumin, as evidenced by Morris’s water maze, Y-maze, and novel object recognition tests. Histopathological examination confirmed a significant reduction in amyloid plaque burden and a preserved neuronal architecture in the nanoparticle-treated group. Conclusion: Curcumin administered via nanoparticles would be an effective multi-targeted therapeutic approach against AD.