title: Design and in vitro evaluation of a new nano-microparticulate system for enhanced aqueous-phase solubility of curcumin.
abstract: Curcumin, a yellow polyphenol derived from the turmeric Curcuma longa, has been associated with a diverse therapeutic potential including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and anticancer properties. However, the poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability of curcumin have limited its potential when administrated orally. In this study, curcumin was encapsulated in a series of novel nano-microparticulate systems developed to improve its aqueous solubility and stability. The nano-microparticulate systems are based entirely on biocompatible, biodegradable, and edible polymers including chitosan, alginate, and carrageenan. The particles were synthesized via ionotropic gelation. Encapsulating the curcumin into the hydrogel nanoparticles yielded a homogenous curcumin dispersion in aqueous solution compared to the free form of curcumin. Also, the in vitro release profile showed up to 95% release of curcumin from the developed nano-microparticulate systems after 9 hours in PBS at pH 7.4 when freeze-dried particles were used.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, USA.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guzman-Villanueva
authors.forename: Ibrahim M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: El-Sherbiny
authors.forename: Dea
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Herrera-Ruiz
authors.forename: Hugh D C
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Smyth
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry; D002351:Carrageenan / Q000737:chemistry; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005612:Freeze Drying; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000737:chemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010316:Particle Size; D012995:Solubility; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D014867:Water; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D002351:Carrageenan; D003474:Curcumin