Curcumin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles: a promising approach to liver fibrosis prevention

Liver fibrosis is a progressive pathological condition that results from chronic liver injuries, including viral infections, alcohol abuse, and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease. Although curcumin, a polyphenolic compound from turmeric, exhibits potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, its clinical utility is limited by poor solubility and low bioavailability. To address this, chitosan-based curcumin nanoparticles (CUR-CS NPs) have been developed to enhance curcumin’s therapeutic potential. CUR–CS NPs were synthesized by ionic gelation and characterized by DLS, FE-SEM, and zeta potential analyses. Encapsulation efficiency (EE%), drug content (payload), and in vitro release were quantified spectrophotometrically at 425 nm. Male C57BL/6 mice received CCl₄ for 4 weeks, with concurrent treatment of free curcumin or CUR–CS NPs (2 mg/kg). Serum biochemical markers (ALT, AST, NO), histopathology, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine gene expression, and Th17/Treg ratios were assessed. CUR–CS nanoparticles exhibited a mean size of 282.7 ± 65.6 nm, zeta potential + 28.1 mV, and smooth spherical morphology, with an encapsulation efficiency of 83.0 ± 1.8% and a payload of 62 µg CUR/mg CS. The in vitro release showed a biphasic pattern (16–81% over 72 h). In vivo, AST, ALT, and NO levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.05), and the Th17/Treg ratio decreased (P = 0.04), indicating hepatoprotection and immune modulation. Gene expression analysis revealed significant suppression of TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ, and α-SMA, with upregulation of TGF-β (P < 0.05), confirming anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of CUR–CS NPs. By suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ; P < 0.05) and reducing serum AST, ALT, and NO levels (P < 0.05), while restoring the Th17/Treg balance (P = 0.04) and enhancing TGF-β expression (P < 0.05), CUR–CS NPs demonstrated statistically validated hepatoprotective, anti-fibrotic, and immunomodulatory effects. These quantitative outcomes confirm CUR–CS NPs as a dual-action nanotherapeutic platform with measurable efficacy for liver fibrosis management.