Nanocurcumin is a potential novel therapy for multiple sclerosis by influencing inflammatory mediators.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Inflammation has ever been thought as disadvantageous in the pathophysiology of MS. Nanocurcumin has been used as an anti-inflammatory compound. The aim of this study was to identify effects of nanocurcumin on inflammatory mediators in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

METHODS: Fifty MS patients were randomly divided into two groups. The test group received nanocurcumin capsule daily for 6 months. Simultaneously, the control group received placebo. Real-Time PCR was employed to detect the probable changes in gene expression levels of miRNAs, and miRNA-dependent targets, and also transcription factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines in blood samples. ELISA was used to determine the alterations in these cytokines secretion levels. We have also examined EDSS score in MS patients in two groups.

RESULTS: According to the results, a significant decrease in mRNA expression levels of miR-145 (p < 0.0001), miR-132 (p = 0.004), miR-16 (p = 0.0034), STAT1 (p = 0.0002), NF-κB (p < 0.0001), AP-1 (p = 0.0007), IL-1β (p = 0.0017), IL-6 (p = 0.017), IFN-γ (p < 0.0001), CCL2 (p = 0.0067), CCL5 (p = 0.0034), TNF-α (p < 0.0001) and also significant increase in expression levels of miRNAs targets; Sox2 (p = 0.0001), sirtuin-1(p = 0.0007), Foxp3 (p = 0.0082), PDCD1 (p = 0.003) was evident in nanocurcumin treated group compared with before treatment. The secretion levels of IFN-γ (p = 0.0025), CCL2 (p = 0.0029), and CCL5 (p = 0.0003) were reduced dramatically in test group compared with placebo group.

CONCLUSION: In conclusion, nanocurcumin may be more effective on the inflammatory features of MS. According to present results, nanocurcumin may inhibit neuroinflammation in MS patients.