Heni Rachmawati

Bio: Heni Rachmawati is an academic researcher from Bandung Institute of Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Curcumin & Nanofiber. The author has an hindex of 17, co-authored 108 publications receiving 1279 citations. Previous affiliations of Heni Rachmawati include Free University of Berlin & University of Groningen.

Anti-infective Properties of the Golden Spice Curcumin

Abstract: The search for novel anti-infectives is one of the most important challenges in natural product research, as diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi are influencing the human society all over the world. Natural compounds are a continuing source of novel anti-infectives. Accordingly, curcumin, has been used for centuries in Asian traditional medicine to treat various disorders. Numerous studies have shown that curcumin possesses a wide spectrum of biological and pharmacological properties, acting, for example, as anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and anti-neoplastic, while no toxicity is associated with the compound. Recently, curcumin's antiviral and antibacterial activity was investigated, and it was shown to act against various important human pathogens like the influenza virus, hepatitis C virus, HIV and strains of Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Pseudomonas. Despite the potency, curcumin has not yet been approved as a therapeutic antiviral agent. This review summarizes the current knowledge and future perspectives of the antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal effects of curcumin.

Molecular Inclusion Complex of Curcumin–β-Cyclodextrin Nanoparticle to Enhance Curcumin Skin Permeability from Hydrophilic Matrix Gel

Abstract: Curcumin (CUR) has various pharmacological effects, but its extensive first-pass metabolism and short elimination half-life limit its bioavailability. Therefore, transdermal application has become a potential alternative to delivery CUR. To increase CUR solubility for the development of a transparent homogenous gel and also enhance the permeation rate of CUR into the skin, β-cyclodextrin–curcumin nanoparticle complex (BCD–CUR-N) was developed. CUR encapsulation efficiency was increased by raising the percentage of CUR to BCD up to 20%. The mean particle size of the best CUR loading formula was 156 nm. All evaluation data using infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffractometry, differential thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the successful formation of the inclusion complex. BCD–CUR-N increased the CUR dissolution rate of 10-fold (p < 0.01). In addition, the improvement of CUR permeability acrossed skin model tissue was observed in gel containing the BCD–CUR-N and was about 1.8-fold when compared with the free CUR gel (p < 0.01). Overall, CUR in the form of the BCD–CUR-N improved the solubility further on the penetration of CUR.

Turmeric curcumin inhibits entry of all hepatitis C virus genotypes into human liver cells

Abstract: Objective Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes severe liver disease and affects more than 160 million individuals worldwide. People undergoing liver organ transplantation face universal re-infection of the graft. Therefore, affordable antiviral strategies targeting the early stages of infection are urgently needed to prevent the recurrence of HCV infection. The aim of the study was to determine the potency of turmeric curcumin as an HCV entry inhibitor. Design The antiviral activity of curcumin and its derivatives was evaluated using HCV pseudo-particles (HCVpp) and cell-culture-derived HCV (HCVcc) in hepatoma cell lines and primary human hepatocytes. The mechanism of action was dissected using R18-labelled virions and a membrane fluidity assay. Results Curcumin treatment had no effect on HCV RNA replication or viral assembly/release. However, co-incubation of HCV with curcumin potently inhibited entry of all major HCV genotypes. Similar antiviral activities were also exerted by other curcumin derivatives but not by tetrahydrocurcumin, suggesting the importance of α,β-unsaturated ketone groups for the antiviral activity. Expression levels of known HCV receptors were unaltered, while pretreating the virus with the compound reduced viral infectivity without viral lysis. Membrane fluidity experiments indicated that curcumin affected the fluidity of the HCV envelope resulting in impairment of viral binding and fusion. Curcumin has also been found to inhibit cell-to-cell transmission and to be effective in combination with other antiviral agents. Conclusions Turmeric curcumin inhibits HCV entry independently of the genotype and in primary human hepatocytes by affecting membrane fluidity thereby impairing virus binding and fusion.

Curcumin nanoemulsion for transdermal application: formulation and evaluation.

Abstract: The aim of this work is to develop a curcumin nanoemulsion for transdermal delivery. The incorporation of curcumin inside a nanoglobul should improve curcumin stability and permeability. A nanoemulsion was prepared by the self-nanoemulsification method, using an oil phase of glyceryl monooleate, Cremophor RH40 and polyethylene glycol 400. Evaluation of the nanoemulsion included analysis of particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, physical stability, Raman spectrum and morphology. In addition, the physical performance of the nanoemulsion in Viscolam AT 100P gel was studied. A modified vertical diffusion cell and shed snake skin of Python reticulatus were used to study the in vitro permeation of curcumin. A spontaneously formed stable nanoemulsion has a loading capacity of 350 mg curcumin/10 g of oil phase. The mean droplet diameter, polydispersity index and zeta potential of optimized nanoemulsion were 85.0 ± 1.5 nm, 0.18 ± 0.0 and −5.9 ± 0.3 mV, respectively. Curcumin in a nanoemulsion...

Novel mechanisms of glucocorticoid resistance in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Abstract: 2458 Despite dramatic improvements in treatment over the past 40 years, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains one of the most common causes of death from disease in childhood. Glucocorticoids are among the most effective agents used in the treatment of lymphoid malignancies, and patient response to treatment is an important determinant of long-term outcome in childhood ALL. In spite of its clinical significance, the molecular basis of glucocorticoid resistance is still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to develop an experimental model system to define clinically relevant mechanisms of glucocorticoid resistance in childhood ALL. An in vivo model of childhood ALL has been developed in our laboratory, using patient biopsies established as xenografts in immune-deficient nonobese diabetic severe-combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mice. This model is highly representative of the human disease (Lock et al., Blood, 99: 4100-4108, 2002). The in vivo responses of these xenografts to the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEX) correlated significantly with patient outcome (p 1 μM) in xenografts from six patients, five of whom died of their disease. In contrast, four DEX-sensitive xenografts (IC50 values 2-fold in sensitive xenografts within 8 hours of treatment. In contrast, Bim induction was dramatically attenuated in DEX-resistant xenografts. These results have identified a clinically significant and novel mechanism of glucocorticoid resistance in childhood ALL, which occurs downstream of receptor-ligand interactions, but upstream of the signalling pathway resulting in Bim induction and apoptosis.

Biochemistry of oxidative stress

Abstract: The terms 'antioxidant', 'oxidative stress' and 'oxidative damage' are widely used but rarely defined. This brief review attempts to define them and to examine the ways in which oxidative stress and oxidative damage can affect cell behaviour both in vivo and in cell culture, using cancer as an example.

Recent developments in delivery, bioavailability, absorption and metabolism of curcumin: The golden pigment from golden spice

Abstract: Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is a yellow pigment present in the spice turmeric (Curcuma longa) that has been associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, and antibacterial activities as indicated by over 6,000 citations. In addition, over one hundred clinical studies have been carried out with curcumin. One of the major problems with curcumin is perceived to be the bioavailability. How curcumin should be delivered in vivo, how bioavailable is it, how well curcumin is absorbed and how it is metabolized, is the focus of this review. Various formulations of curcumin that are currently available are also discussed.

Role of clathrin- and caveolae-mediated endocytosis in gene transfer mediated by lipo- and polyplexes

Abstract: We investigated the effects of inhibitors of clathrin-mediated endocytosis (chlorpromazine and K(+) depletion) and of caveolae-mediated uptake (filipin and genistein) on internalization of FITC-poly-l-lysine-labeled DOTAP/DNA lipoplexes and PEI/DNA polyplexes by A549 pneumocytes and HeLa cells and on the transfection efficiencies of these complexes with the luciferase gene. Uptake of the complexes was assayed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Lipoplex internalization was inhibited by chlorpromazine and K(+) depletion but unaffected by filipin and genistein. In contrast, polyplex internalization was inhibited by all four inhibitors. We conclude that lipoplex uptake proceeds only by clathrin-mediated endocytosis, while polyplexes are taken up by two mechanisms, one involving caveolae and the other clathrin-coated pits. Transfection by lipoplexes was entirely abolished by blocking clathrin-mediated endocytosis, whereas inhibition of the caveolae pathway had no effect. By contrast, transfection mediated by polyplexes was completely blocked by genistein and filipin but was unaffected by inhibitors of clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Fluorescence colocalization studies with a lysosomal marker, AlexaFluor-dextran, revealed that polyplexes taken up by clathrin-mediated endocytosis are targeted to the lysosomal compartment for degradation, while the polyplexes internalized via caveolae escape this compartment, permitting efficient transfection.

A comprehensive review on tyrosinase inhibitors.

Abstract: Tyrosinase is a multi-copper enzyme which is widely distributed in different organisms and plays an important role in the melanogenesis and enzymatic browning. Therefore, its inhibitors can be attractive in cosmetics and medicinal industries as depigmentation agents and also in food and agriculture industries as antibrowning compounds. For this purpose, many natural, semi-synthetic and synthetic inhibitors have been developed by different screening methods to date. This review has focused on the tyrosinase inhibitors discovered from all sources and biochemically characterised in the last four decades.