Curcumin, a hydrophobic polyphenol compound derived from the rhizome of the
Curcuma genus, has a wide spectrum of biological and pharmacological applications. Previously,
curcumin nanoparticles with different stabilizers had been produced successfully in order to enhance
solubility and per oral absorption. In the present study, we tested the anti-inflammatory effect
of D--Tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS)-stabilized curcumin nanoparticles
in vivo. Lambda-carrageenan (-carrageenan) was used to induce inflammation in rats; it was
given by an intraplantar route and intrapelurally through surgery in the pleurisy test. In the
-carrageenan-induced edema model, TPGS-stabilized curcumin nanoparticles were given orally
one hour before induction and at 0.5, 4.5, and 8.5 h after induction with two different doses
(1.8 and 0.9 mg/kg body weight (BW)). Sodium diclofenac with a dose of 4.5 mg/kg BW was
used as a standard drug. A physical mixture of curcumin-TPGS was also used as a comparison
with a higher dose of 60 mg/kg BW. The anti-inflammatory effect was assessed on the edema in the
carrageenan-induced paw edema model and by the volume of exudate as well as the number of
leukocytes reduced in the pleurisy test. TPGS-stabilized curcumin nanoparticles with lower doses
showed better anti-inflammatory effects, indicating the greater absorption capability through the
gastrointestinal tract.