Turmeric nanovesicles loaded with vitamins C and E attenuate oxidative stress and improve cognitive outcomes in rats with memory deficits

AIM: Oxidative stress (OS) contributes to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. Vitamins C and E target OS, but their efficacies are limited by poor intracellular delivery. Encapsulation in nanovesicles (NVs) may improve targeted delivery for AD treatment. METHODS: Forty-five rats were randomly assigned to nine groups (n = 5 per group): normal control, scopolamine control, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin C + E, turmeric NVs (TNV), TNV-C, TNV-E, and donepezil. Treatment was administered intraperitoneally (IP) for one week before induction of the AD-like model using daily IP administration of scopolamine and continued for two weeks. During this time, behavioral activities were conducted, and brain tissues were collected for analysis. RESULTS: Vitamins C and E showed encapsulation efficiencies of 12.36 ± 1.01% and 55.24 ± 5.82%, with loading capacities of 14.34 ± 1.37% and 40.70 ± 3.52, respectively. TNV-C and TNV-E increased brain levels of vitamins E and C, enhanced antioxidant defense and cognitive abilities, and reduced acetylcholinesterase activity in dementia rats. TNV-C and TNV-E also protected against neuroinflammation and neuritic plaque formation. Vitamin-loaded TNVs were more effective than free vitamins in improving antioxidant status and cognitive outcomes in AD rats. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the potential of vitamin-loaded NVs as therapeutics for AD.