Effects of the Slow-release Curcumin-loaded Selenium Nanoparticles on Experimental Peritonitis

New pharmaceutical forms of natural compounds such as curcumin can be an effective intervention to control peritonitis and abdominal adhesion. 

This study investigates the effects of slow-release curcumin-loaded selenium nanoparticles (Cur@S.N) on some inflammatory biomarkers in experimental peritonitis.

After synthesizing selenium nanoparticles (S.N) and (Cur@S.N), experimental peritonitis was surgically induced in 80 adult male rats. The control group received no treatment, whereas the other groups received single intraperitoneal doses of 0.25 mg/kg S.N, 50 mg/kg curcumin, and 0.25+50 mg/kg (Cur@S.N). Blood malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) were measured on days 3, 7 and 14, and also intra-abdominal adhesion assessment was done.

On day 3, NO levels in all treatment groups significantly decreased (P>0.05), while the lowest level was seen on day 14 in the S.N group (P˂0.05). MDA was significantly lower in the S.N and Cur@S.N groups than in the control on days 3, 7 and 14 (P˂0.05). TNF-α levels in S.N and Cur@S.N groups were significantly lower than in the control group on day 3 (P≤0.05). Meanwhile, the S.N group had the lowest level on day 14. IL-6 significantly decreased on days 3 and 7 in the Cur@S.N and curcumin groups compared to the control group (P˂0.05).

Cur@S.N group possesses significant anti-inflammatory efficacy by reducing MDA, NO, IL-6 and TNF-α, decreasing peritonitis and intra-abdominal adhesion.