Treatment for Myocardial Infarction: In Vivo Evaluation of Curcumin-Loaded PEGylated-GQD Nanoparticles

Curcumin (Cur) has been suggested as a complementary treatment for cardiovascular diseases. Its efficiency, however, is modest due to poor biocompatibility. This study examined the effects of curcumin loaded on polyethylene glycol-graphene quantum dots (Cur-PEG-GQDs) on hemodynamic and cardiac function in rats with myocardial infarction (MI). The study groups included control, MI, MI+Cur-3, MI + Cur-7, MI + Cur-15, MI + PEG-GQDs-5, MI + PEG-GQDs-10, MI + Cur-PEG-GQDs-5, and MI + Cur-PEG-GQDs-10. MI was established by left anterior descending artery ligation. Two weeks after intraperitoneal administration of vehicle, Cur, PEG-GQDs, and Cur-PEG-GQDs, blood pressure and heart contractility indices were measured. Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride, colorimetry, and clinical laboratory methods were used to measure the infarct size, the oxidant and antioxidant content, and the kidney and liver function parameters, respectively. In the MI animals, Cur-7, PEG-GQDs-10, Cur-PEG-GQDs-5, and Cur-PEG-GQDs-10 recovered systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, left ventricular systolic pressure, and ±dp/dt max disturbances and reduced myocardial infarct size, fibrosis, and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. Curcumin lowered antioxidant markers and elevated 1 oxidant marker in the heart in a dose-dependent manner. Although Cur-PEG-GQDs-5 and Cur-PEG-GQDs-10 reduced curcumin's oxidative stress effects, the superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and total antioxidant capacity levels were significantly lower in Cur-PEG-GQDs-5 and Cur-PEG-GQDs-10 groups compared with the MI group. Malondialdehyde levels were lower in Cur-PEG-GQDs-5 and -10 groups compared with the Cur-3, Cur-7, and Cur-15 groups. The glutathione/glutathione disulfide ratio improved in the groups treated by Cur-7, PEG-GQDs-10, Cur-PEG-GQDs-5, and Cur-PEG-GQDs-10. The findings indicated that Cur-PEG-GQDs mitigated MI-induced cardiac dysfunction. However, because of the increase in oxidative stress in the heart, nonclassic mechanisms may be involved in the beneficial effect of Cur-PEG-GQDs on MI-induced cardiac dysfunction.