Indu Pal Kaur

Curcumin a hydrophobic poly-phenol is derived from turmeric, the rhizome of the herb Curcuma longa L. Curcumin has been shown to exert anti-depressant effects in rodent models. However, poor bioavailability of curcumin curbs its usage as a therapeutic agent. In view of the above curcumin loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (C-SLNs) were prepared and evaluated for the antidepressant effect of acute administration of C-SLNs (1, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg, p.o.) in the forced swim model of depression in mice. C-SLNs exhibited 47.42%, 67.39%, 31.67% and 36.2% reduction in immobility time after administration of 1, 2.5, 5 or 10 mg/kg dose (p.o.) respectively. Free curcumin however did not result in a significant reduction, except at 2.5 mg/kg, which could produce a reduction of 21.7% but was still 2.83 times lower than the effect obtained with a similar dose of C-SLNs. The results obtained may be assigned to the therapeutic amounts of curcumin reaching the brain. Thus, C-SLNs with their improved bioavailability and permeability possess higher anti-depressant potential upon administration of a single and a much lower dose when compared to free curcumin.