Antiviral activity against Zika virus of a new formulation of curcumin in poly lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles.

Objectives: In the search of an effective antiviral formulation, the natural product curcumin (CUR) was encapsulated into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles, a non-toxic bioresorbable and biocompatible copolymer. The resulting CUR containing particles (PLGA-CUR NPs) were characterized and analysed for antiviral activity against Zika virus (ZIKV) infection.

Methods: The PLGA-CUR NPs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis and release profile.