{"id":22098,"date":"2026-05-28T22:47:15","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T20:47:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ngdcare.nl\/uncategorized\/liposomal-curcumin\/"},"modified":"2026-05-28T22:51:33","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T20:51:33","slug":"liposomal-curcumin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ngdcare.nl\/en\/blog-en\/liposomal-curcumin\/","title":{"rendered":"Liposomal curcumin"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
NGD Care \u2014 Scientific background to food supplements<\/div>\n

Liposomal Curcumin:
\nNF-kB, bioavailability and wide ignition modulation<\/span><\/h1>\n

Why does curcumin have such a broad action profile, what makes its bioavailability so problematic, and how does liposomal encapsulation solve this? From NF-kB inhibition to blood-brain barrier and veterinary clinical data. For dogs, cats and humans. <\/p>\n

By Stefan Veenstra DVM<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Curcumin: why one molecule works so broadly<\/h2>\n

Curcumin is the primary curcuminoid in the roots of Curcuma longa and has been the subject of intensive biomedical research for more than 50 years. The broad pharmacological profile of curcumin, with efficacy in seemingly little in common diseases, is explained by one common mechanism: inhibition of NF-kB signaling. [1]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

NF-kB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) is the central transcription factor for pro-inflammatory gene expression in almost all mammalian cells. Activation of NF-kB leads to production of TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, COX-2, iNOS and adhesion molecules. Inhibition of NF-kB by curcumin downregulates all these mediators at once, which explains its broad anti-inflammatory action in conditions as diverse as osteoarthritis, IBD, atopic dermatitis, neuroinflammation and metabolic inflammation. A recent review in Frontiers in Pharmacology (2025) documented the three primary signaling pathways through which curcumin inhibits inflammation: NF-kB inhibition, ERK\/MAPK modulation, and JAK\/STAT signaling inhibition. [2]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

NF-kB is the master switch of chronic inflammation. Virtually all pro-inflammatory cytokines, enzymes and adhesion molecules that maintain chronic conditions are controlled via NF-kB. Curcumin is one of the best-researched natural NF-kB inhibitors available. <\/div>\n

The Bioavailability Problem of Curcumin<\/h2>\n

The fundamental problem of curcumin as a supplement is that there is hardly any bioavailability when administered orally. Curcumin is water-insoluble (log P = 3.2), unstable at neutral and alkaline pH, and is rapidly metabolized in the gut and liver to curcumin glucuronides and curcumin sulfates that have no pharmacological activity. Studies show that less than 1% of oral free curcumin reaches the bloodstream at therapeutically relevant concentrations. [3]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

This explains why the extensive preclinical literature on curcumin is difficult to translate to clinical results with conventional supplements: the doses required for therapeutic plasma concentrations are impractically high with free curcumin. A review in ACS Pharmacology and Translational Science (2023) analyzed the clinical trials with enhanced curcumin formulations and concluded that formulation technology is the primary bottleneck for clinical effectiveness. [4]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

Liposomal encapsulation: the solution<\/h2>\n

Liposomal encapsulation addresses the bioavailability problem of curcumin through three complementary mechanisms. First, phospholipid vesicles protect curcuminoids from hydrolysis and oxidation in the gastrointestinal tract. Second, liposomes facilitate absorption via endocytosis and fusion with the intestinal mucosa, independent of the water solubility limitations of free curcumin. Third, liposomal encapsulation partially protects curcumin from first-pass metabolism in the liver, thereby achieving higher plasma concentrations. [5]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

A particularly clinically relevant benefit of liposomal curcumin is the passage of the blood-brain barrier. Curcumin has neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory properties that are hardly effective when administered orally due to its limited CNS penetration. Liposomal encapsulation significantly improves the passage of the blood-brain barrier, making therapeutic concentrations in the central nervous system accessible. This is mechanistically relevant in neuroinflammation, cognitive decline in senior animals and in disorders in which central sensitization plays a role. <\/p>\n

\n

Essential oils in the whole extract<\/strong><\/p>\n

NGD Care Liposomal Curcumin contains a whole Curcuma longa extract including essential oils, not just isolated curcuminoids. The essential oils inhibit CYP3A4 and glucuronidation in the intestinal mucosa, slowing down the metabolism of curcumin and further increasing its bioavailability. This is the same principle as the use of piperine (black pepper), but through a safer pharmacological mechanism without the risks of strong CYP inhibition that piperine poses when taking other medications concomitantly. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Veterinary Clinical Evidence<\/h2>\n

A review in PMC (Wnuk et al., 2023), specifically on curcumin in dogs compared to humans, describes how the pharmacological action of curcumin in dogs is mechanistically parallel to that in humans: same NF-kB pathways, same anti-inflammatory cytokines, similar absorption kinetics.[6]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

Sgorlon et al. (2016) showed in 18 dogs with osteoarthritis that a phospholipid-bound curcumin formulation provided significant reductions in TNF-alpha, NF-kB1, IL-8 and PTGS2 compared to controls, with a clear clinical correlate in mobility improvement. [7]<\/a><\/sup> Corbee (2022) confirmed in Veterinary Medicine and Science improved mobility scores in dogs and cats with osteoarthritis after supplementing with a curcumin-containing formulation. [8]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

Clinical applications by area of indication<\/h2>\n

Joint disorders and osteoarthritis<\/h3>\n

NF-kB inhibition by curcumin directly lowers the production of MMPs (matrix metalloproteases) that mediate cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis. At the same time, curcumin inhibits COX-2 expression and the production of prostaglandin E2 in the joint capsule. The combined chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory effect makes curcumin mechanistically particularly suitable for osteoarthritis, as a monotherapy or supplement to NSAIDs or PEA Complex. <\/p>\n

Intestinal inflammation and IBD<\/h3>\n

Curcumin directly modulates the gut microbiome via selective inhibition of pathogenic species and stimulation of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium populations, in addition to its direct anti-inflammatory action in intestinal epithelium and submucosa. It also inhibits the NF-kB-mediated activation of gut immune cells in IBD. Curcumin is a fixed component of the Gut Protocol phase 1 for anti-inflammatory support during the cleansing phase. <\/p>\n

Liver support and detoxification<\/h3>\n

Curcumin protects hepatocytes via NF-kB inhibition, direct antioxidant action, and phase II detoxification enzyme induction. As a heavy metal chelator, curcumin binds iron, copper, and other transition metals and thereby reduces transition metal-catalyzed free-radical formation in hepatocytes. In animals with liver load due to medication, toxins or chronic disease, curcumin is a mechanistically well-founded liver support substance. <\/p>\n

Neuroinflammation and cognitive decline<\/h3>\n

Curcumin inhibits microglial activation and astrocytic inflammation in the central nervous system via NF-kB and JAK\/STAT inhibition. In humans, curcumin supplementation has been associated with better cognitive function in the elderly and reduced amyloid load in Alzheimer’s models in multiple studies. In senior dogs with Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, the neuroinflammatory component is similarly mechanistically relevant. The blood-brain barrier crossing of liposomal curcumin makes direct CNS concentrations attainable that are not achievable with conventional supplementation. <\/p>\n

Inflammaging<\/h3>\n

In aging, senescence cells maintain chronic low-grade NF-kB-mediated inflammation via the SASP (senescence-associated secretory phenotype) that accelerates virtually all age-related conditions. As an NF-kB inhibitor, curcumin is mechanistically one of the most relevant substances for inhibition of inflammation. In the Aging Protocol<\/a> , curcumin works complementary to the senolytic action of quercetin (Histamine Balance<\/a>) and the mitochondrial support of Longevity Complex. <\/p>\n

\n

Scope of application Liposomal Curcumin: dog, cat and human<\/h3>\n

Chronic and acute joint inflammation and osteoarthritis. Intestinal inflammation and IBD as part of the Intestinal Protocol. Liver support and detoxification in case of toxic load. Chronic skin inflammation and allergic reactions. Neuroinflammation and cognitive support in senior animals. Inflammaging in the Old Age Protocol. Support for oncological conditions in consultation with a veterinarian. Widely applicable as daily basic anti-inflammatory support for chronic strain. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

Curcumin is one of the best-researched natural anti-inflammatory molecules available, but its clinical potential in conventional preparations is severely limited by its low bioavailability. Liposomal encapsulation solves this fundamental problem through protection in the gastrointestinal tract, alternative absorption via endocytosis, and improved blood-brain barrier passage. <\/p>\n

The veterinary clinical evidence for curcumin in osteoarthritis in dogs and cats is growing. Liposomal Curcumin from NGD Care is widely applicable for chronic inflammation at every level: joint, intestine, liver, skin and nervous system. Always in consultation with an (integrative) veterinarian in case of serious or progressive conditions. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

View Liposomal Curcumin in the NGD Care webshop<\/p>\n

To the product page<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Literature<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Gupta SC, Patchva S, Aggarwal BB. Therapeutic roles of curcumin: lessons learned from clinical trials. AAPS J.<\/em> 2013; 15(1):195\u2013218. <\/li>\n
  2. Zhang X, et al. Regulation mechanism of curcumin mediated inflammatory pathway and its clinical application: a review. Front Pharmacol.<\/em> 2025. doi:10.3389\/fphar.2025.1509045. [Most recent review NF-kB, ERK\/MAPK, and JAK\/STAT inhibition by curcumin, 2025]<\/em> <\/li>\n
  3. Anand P, Kunnumakkara AB, Newman RA, Aggarwal BB. Bioavailability of curcumin: problems and promises. Mole Pharm.<\/em> 2007; 4(6):807\u2013818.<\/li>\n
  4. Zafar S, et al. Curcumin formulations for better bioavailability: what we learned from clinical trials thus far? ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci.<\/em> 2023; 6(4):483\u2013508.<\/li>\n
  5. Xu L, et al. Pharmacological effects, formulations, and clinical applications of curcumin: a review. Front Pharmacol.<\/em> 2025;16:1509045. [Liposomal Curcumin Bioavailability and Formulation Technology]<\/em> <\/li>\n
  6. Wnuk A, et al. Turmeric and curcumin: health-promoting properties in humans versus dogs. PMC.<\/em> 2023. doi:10.3390\/ani13193188. [Comparative Review of Curcumin in Dogs and Humans]<\/em> <\/li>\n
  7. Sgorlon S, et al. Nutritional and functional properties of a feed supplement containing phospholipid-bound curcumin in dogs with osteoarthritis. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr.<\/em> 2016; 100(3):493\u2013501. [TNF-alpha, NF-kB1, IL-8, and PTGS2 in dogs with osteoarthritis]<\/em><\/li>\n
  8. Corbee RJ. The efficacy of a nutritional supplement containing green-lipped mussel, curcumin and blackcurrant leaf extract in dogs and cats with osteoarthritis. Vet Med Sci.<\/em> 2022; 8(3):1025\u20131035.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n

    This information is educational in nature and based on available scientific literature. The studies mentioned are not always directly veterinary or specific to the formulation described here. This text does not replace a veterinary consultation and does not contain any therapeutic claims. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    NGD Care \u2014 Scientific background to food supplements Liposomal Curcumin: NF-kB, bioavailability and wide ignition modulation Why does curcumin have such a broad action profile, what makes its bioavailability so problematic, and how does liposomal encapsulation solve this? From NF-kB inhibition to blood-brain barrier and veterinary clinical data. For dogs, cats and humans. By Stefan … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":22111,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_wds_title":"Liposomal Curcumin | NF-kB & Ignition | Dog & Cat","_wds_metadesc":"How curcumin via NF-kB inhibits broad inflammation in dogs, cats and humans. Why bioavailability is crucial and how liposomal formulation solves it. ","_wds_focus-keywords":"liposomal curcumin dog cat inflammation,liposomal curcumin bioavailability,curcumin supplement dog","_wds_meta-robots-adv":"","_wds_meta-robots-noindex":false,"_wds_meta-robots-nofollow":false,"_wds_meta-robots-index":false,"_wds_meta-robots-follow":false,"_wds_autolinks-exclude":false,"_wds_canonical":"","_wds_redirect":"","_wds_opengraph":[],"_wds_twitter":[],"wds_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[178,8510,12029],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22098","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog-en","category-scientific-deepening-of-supplements","category-supplements","infinite-scroll-item"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ngdcare.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22098","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ngdcare.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ngdcare.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ngdcare.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ngdcare.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22098"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.ngdcare.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22098\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22119,"href":"https:\/\/www.ngdcare.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22098\/revisions\/22119"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ngdcare.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22111"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ngdcare.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22098"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ngdcare.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22098"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ngdcare.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22098"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}