Effects of curcumin-/boron-basedcompound complexation on antioxidant and antiproliferation activity

Simple and reproducible formulation strategies are needed to improve the bio-availability of curcumin. In this study, curcumin was successfully complexed with two boron-based compounds: 2-aminoethyl diphenyl borate (DPBA) and bortezomib (BTZ; Velcade®). In reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, DPBA/curcumin complexes (DPBA/cur) showed delayed elution times compared to those of free curcumin. The UV–visible absorbance peak of DPBA/cur and BTZ and curcumin complexes (BTZ/cur) appeared redshifted. DPBA complexation has a negligible effect on the antioxidant and antiproliferation properties of curcumin for two types of cancer cells: MCF-7 and A549. Thus, curcumin complexation with boron-based compounds could be a method to enhance in vivo stability without loss of bioactivity (i.e., antioxidant and antiproliferation effects).