Molefe-Nyembe, Nthatisi InnocentiaAdeyemi, Oluyomi StephenKondoh, DaisukeKato, KentaroInoue, Noboru2023-11-062023-11-062023Molefe-Nyembe, N. I., Adeyemi, O. S., Kondoh, D., Kato, K., Inoue, N., & Suganuma, K. (2023). In vivo efficacy of curcumin and curcumin nanoparticle in trypanosoma congolense, broden 1904 (kinetoplastea: trypanosomatidae)-infected mice. Pathogens, 12(10), 1227. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens121012272076-0817 (online)https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12101227http://hdl.handle.net/11660/12329Curcumin (CUR) is known for its wide folkloric effects on various infections; however, its solubility status has remained a hindrance to its bioavailability in the host. This study evaluated the comparative effects of CUR and CUR-nanoparticle in vitro on T. congolense, T. b. brucei, and T. evansi. Additionally, CUR and CUR-nanoparticle anti-Trypanosoma efficacy were assessed in vivo against T. congolense. All the CUR-nanoparticles were two folds more effective on the T. congolense as compared to CUR in vitro, with recorded efficacy of 3.67 ± 0.31; 7.61 ± 1.22; and 6.40 ± 3.07 μM, while the CUR-nanoparticles efficacy was 1.56 ± 0.50; 28.16 ± 9.43 and 13.12 ± 0.13 μM on T. congolense, T. b. brucei, and T. evansi, respectively. Both CUR and CUR-nanoparticles displayed moderate efficacy orally. The efficacy of CUR and CUR-nanoparticles in vivo was influenced by solubility, presence of food, and treatment period. CUR-treated mice were not cured of the infection; however, the survival rate of the orally treated mice was significantly prolonged as compared with intraperitoneal-treated mice. CUR-nanoparticles resulted in significant suppression of parasitemia even though relapsed was observed. In conclusion, CUR and CUR-nanoparticles possess moderate efficacy orally on the trypanosomes as compared to the intraperitoneal treatment.enanimal African trypanosomosisdrug discoverynanomedicinenatural productsphytomedicineAuthor(s)https://www.mdpi.com/about/openaccess