Molecular Insight into the Anti-Inflammatory Effects of the Curcumin Ester Prodrug Curcumin Diglutaric Acid In Vitro and In Vivo

Abstract

Curcumin diglutaric acid (CurDG), an ester prodrug of curcumin, has the potential to be developed as an anti-inflammatory agent due to its improved solubility and stability. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effects of CurDG were evaluated. The effects of CurDG on inflammatory mediators were evaluated in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. CurDG reduced the increased levels of NO, IL-6, and TNF- α, as well as iNOS and COX-2 expression in cells to a greater extent than those of curcumin, along with the potent inhibition of MAPK (ERK1/2, JNK, and p38) activity. The anti-inflammatory effects were assessed in vivo by employing a carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema model. Oral administration of CurDG demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects in a dose-dependent manner in mice. The effects were significantly higher compared to those of curcumin at the corresponding doses (p < 0.05). Moreover, 25 mg/kg curcumin did not exert a significant anti-inflammatory effect for the overall time course as indicated by the area under the curve data, while the equimolar dose of CurDG produced significant anti-inflammatory effects comparable with 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg curcumin (p < 0.05). Similarly, CurDG significantly reduced the proinflammatory cytokine expression in paw edema tissues compared to curcumin (p < 0.05). These results provide the first experimental evidence for CurDG as a promising anti-inflammatory agent.