부산대학교 도서관

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are characterized by chronic and relapsing inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Current treatment strategies for IBD are insufficient, expensive and associated with high toxicity. In the search for alternatives that could help in the management of IBD without causing serious side effects, natural compounds have been considered. Curcumin, obtained from rhizomes of Curcuma longaL,is a natural, inexpensive compound with anti-inflammatory properties. Concurrently, silver can suppress microbial activity and promote wound healing. Taking into account the properties of both compounds, we decided to combine, with the use of nanotechnology, silver and curcumin to synergistically enhance their activity. We obtained two formulations: a complex of curcumin and silver (I) nanoparticles (nAg) and a complex of curcumin nanoparticles and silver (I) nanoparticles. We assessed the anti-inflammatory effect of the formulations in vitroin LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and in vivoin a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. In vitro, both formulations inhibited the release of nitric oxide (NO) and in vivothe complexes alleviated colitis. In conclusion, our research showed that combining curcumin with nAg enhances curcumin's anti-inflammatory properties and that using nanocurcumin instead of curcumin further enhances this effect. Curcumin and silver (I) nanocomplexes may become a new treatment option in IBD.