Co-delivery of a curcumin and asafoetida as a bioavailable complex using fenugreek galactomannan hydrogel scaffold alleviates inflammatory bowel disease on experimental animals

Introduction

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disorder characterised by the disruption of the epithelial barrier and formation of mucosal ulceration. Though the current treatment mainly includes synthetic drugs, herein, we hypothesised that a co-delivery of bioavailable and water-soluble forms of turmeric extract (curcumin) along with asafoetida oleo-gum-resin (hereinafter referred to as ‘CUAS’) may have synergistic effects to alleviate IBD safely.

Methods

The study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, bioavailability of the formulation was investigated and in the second phase, its effect on 2,4,6- trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced IBD model of rats were investigated. In this model, Wistar rats (n = 30) were randomised into 5 groups, [Group I-control, Group II–TNBS treated IBD group (100 mg/kg; intrarectal), Group III-Standard drug (Sulfasalazine; 50 mg/kg b. wt. orally), Group IV – standard curcumin complex (UC; 200 mg/kg b. wt.), Group V –Curcumin/asafoetida co-delivery form (CUAS; 200 mg/kg b. wt.)]. IBD was induced to group II to V animals, and then treated with the respective drugs for 24 days. Then the animals were sacrificed and various biochemical parameters including ulcer index, antioxidant levels, oxidative stress markers, and histopathological analysis of the colon were carried out.

Results

The results revealed a significant reduction (P < 0.05) of the clinical manifestations related to IBD, along with a significant reduction (P < 0.05) for the ulcer index, oxidative stress, and significant enhancement (P < 0.05) in endogenous antioxidant enzyme levels among CUAS treated animals. Histopathological observations also showed a significant reduction in TNBS-induced colon lesions. No necrosis, cellular infiltration, haemorrhage, or oedema was observed among the CUAS-treated animals, indicating better gastroprotective effect of CUAS compared to the standard curcumin treatment.

Conclusions

The enhanced effect of CUAS was attributed to the improved bioavailability (22.8-fold) of CUAS compared to standard curcumin treated group.