In vitro evaluation of antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of newly synthesized and characterized nanocurcumin

Curcumin, the principal curcuminoid found in turmeric, demonstrates potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory characteristics; nevertheless, it possesses restricted solubility and bioavailability. Numerous studies have reported elevated bioavailability and antimicrobial activity of nano-formulations of curcumin. Porphyromonas gingivalis plays a crucial role in triggering dysbiosis in the subgingival milieu, leading to the progression of periodontitis. This work details nanocurcumin preparation, characterization, and in vitro evaluation of antibacterial activity against Porphyromonas gingivalis and its cytotoxic effects on L929 mouse embryo fibroblasts.

Nanocurcumin was prepared using the antisolvent precipitation method and characterized by Scanning electron microscopy, UV-visible spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. The antimicrobial activity of nanocurcumin against Porphyromonas gingivalis was assessed using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Cytotoxicity against L929 mouse embryo fibroblasts was evaluated with the MTT assay.

Nanocurcumin exhibited significant water solubility, nanoparticle size ranging from 18 to 176 nm, a strong absorbance peak at 425nm, and a comparable chemical structure to curcumin. MIC of nanocurcumin was 6.25 µg/ml compared to 25 µg/ml of curcumin and 3.12 µg/ml of tetracycline. Both nanocurcumin and curcumin demonstrated a dose-dependent negative impact on L929 fibroblasts with IC50 concentrations of 86.16 µg/ml and 45.69 µg/ml respectively.

Nanocurcumin in the present study demonstrates well-characterized nanoparticle formation with excellent antimicrobial activity against Porphyromonas gingivalis and minimal cytotoxicity against L929 cell line. Nanocurcumin demonstrates significant promise for integration into drug delivery systems for the management of periodontal disease, subject to additional experimental and clinical trials.