Iran secures international patent for curcumin-based nanomedicine

Iranian researchers have obtained international patent protection for an innovative nanomedicine based on curcumin, marking a new step forward in the country’s biomedical and pharmaceutical research.

Information from Mehr News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS, shows that the patented technology introduces a next-generation nano-crystal formulation designed to dramatically improve the oral absorption of curcumin – a natural bioactive compound widely studied for its therapeutic potential.

Curcumin is known for its extremely low water solubility, which limits its absorption in the human body to less than one per cent when taken orally. By applying advanced nano-crystal engineering, Iranian scientists have increased its bioavailability by more than one hundred times, enabling more effective delivery at substantially lower doses.

The innovation combines co-crystal and nano-crystal technologies to create a fully soluble and stable form of curcumin at the nanoscale. This approach allows the compound to be incorporated into a wide range of pharmaceutical and nutritional formulations while maintaining stability under various storage conditions.

According to available data, the technology has already been applied in multiple human and veterinary formulations, including oral solutions and functional beverages. Researchers report that the enhanced formulation makes it possible to achieve noticeable therapeutic effects using less than one-tenth of the dosage typically required in conventional products.

The nano-crystal curcumin technology is also noted for increasing water solubility by more than 10,000 times, improving shelf stability, and enabling the compound to be used as a natural energy-enhancing ingredient. Its potential applications extend to pain management, neurological conditions and supportive therapies in complex diseases, the source claims.

Photo: Serhej Calka / iStock