Preparation and Evaluation of Curcumin Nano Emulsion to Inhibit TC-1 Cell Growth

Curcumin (Cur), a substance originating from Curcuma longa, has been comprehensively examined for its anticancer properties. Nonetheless, its clinical application is restricted by its inadequate solubility, bioavailability, and stability. TC-1 cells have been impressive in understanding HPV biology and developing therapeutic approaches for HPV infection and related cancers, like cervical cancer, offering a close mimicry of HPV-induced carcinogenesis. This study’s primary goal is to formulate and optimize curcumin nanoemulsion (Cur-NE) to address these challenges and, secondarily, evaluate their impact on TC-1 cell growth. The characterization of the nanoemulsions was performed by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results revealed an average particle size of 52.5 nm, a zeta potential of -13.1 mV, and a drug content of 96.3%. The dialysis diffusion technique demonstrated that the release of Cur from Cur-NE is slower and more sustained than free Cur. According to an MTT assay, Cur-Ne with an IC50 35 μg/mL exhibited an increased inhibitory effect of Cur on TC-1 cancer cells while showing no inhibitory effects on MC3T3 normal cells at concentrations up to 100 μg/mL. In summary, this study highlights the potential of nanoemulsions as effective carriers for Cur, and their safety is demonstrated in both cancer and normal cells. In addition, Cur-NE showed significant inhibitory activity against TC-1 cancer cells, suggesting its promising ability in treating HPV-related cancers, especially cervical cancer. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the long-term safety of this nanoemulsion for clinical trials and its efficacy against other cancer cell lines.