title: Effect of liposomal curcumin on red blood cells in vitro.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative agent curcumin has poor oral bioavailability and solubility in plasma. Liposomal formulations have therefore been developed, but the toxicity of these preparations is not yet established. We investigated the influence of free and liposomally formulated curcumin on human red blood cell (RBC) morphology in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  EDTA-buffered whole blood from two healthy individuals was incubated with different concentrations (1, 10, 100 μg/ml) of free or liposomal curcumin. RBC morphology and mean cellular volume (MCV) were examined at up to 4 hours of incubation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dose-dependent echinocyte formation was observed after incubation with free, and liposomal curcumin, with a threshold concentration of 10 μg/ml and peak effect after 30 minutes. A concomitant increase in mean cellular volume was detectable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Curcumin and liposomal curcumin cause dose-dependent changes in the shape of RBCs. This effect may represent an early sign of dose-limiting toxicity following intravenous administration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria. michael.wolzt5@meduniwien.ac.at.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Storka
authors.forename: Brigitta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vcelar
authors.forename: Uros
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Klickovic
authors.forename: Ghazaleh
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gouya
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weisshaar
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aschauer
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Helson
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wolzt
mesh_terms: D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008081:Liposomes
chemical_list: D008081:Liposomes; D003474:Curcumin
keywords: Cucumin; echinocyte; liposomes; morphology; red blood cells