Targeted Delivery of Curcumin Using MgONPs and Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: Attenuates Aluminum‑Induced Neurotoxicity in Albino Rats

Background: Aluminum is a potent environmental toxin and its increasing entry exposes human beings to its neurotoxicity. Objective: The authors investigated the efficacy of delivery systems (magnesium oxide nanoparticles [MgONPs] and solid lipid nanoparticles [SLNs]) for curcumin in protecting aluminum‑induced neurotoxicity in albino rats. Materials and Methods: Albino rats were divided into six groups (n = 6), Group I served as control; Group II Al treated; Group III curcumin loaded MgONPs (CuMgONPs); Group IV Al + CuMgONPs; Group V curcumin loaded SLNs (CuSLNs); Group VI Al + CuSLNs. After the treatment period, i.e., 30 days the animals were sacrificed and biochemical tests were performed to assess the cholinergic damage followed by histological observation of brain regions (cerebral cortex and cerebellum). Results: In cholinergic analyses, it was observed that aluminum‑induced alterations in ACh and acetylcholine esterase were reversed with concomitant administration of CuMgONPs and CuSLNs. The therapeutic potential of CuMgONPs and CuSLNs was also observed in histological analyses of brain regions treated with aluminum. Among these two drug delivery systems, CuSLNs administration was found to be more potential compared to the CuMgONPs in treating aluminum induced neurotoxicity. Conclusions: By using drug delivery systems, MgONPs and SLNs, the problem of low bioavailability of curcumin can be controlled. This will be a promising agent to treat neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease with the potentiality to cross the blood–brain barrier. However, CuSLNs has showed a more protective effect on altered cholinergic system and tissue damage compared to CuMgONPs.