title: Alginate-Based Composite Sponges as Gastroretentive Carriers for Curcumin-Loaded Self-Microemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems.
abstract: Alginate-based composite sponges were developed as carriers to prolong the gastric retention time and controlled release of curcumin-loaded self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems (Cur-SMEDDS). Liquid Cur-SMEDDS was incorporated into a solution made up of a mixture of polymers and converted into a solid form by freeze-drying. The ratio of alginate as the main polymer, adsorbent (colloidal silicon dioxide), and additional polymers-sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (SCMC), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)-was varied systematically to adjust the drug loading and entrapment efficiency, sponge buoyancy, and the release profile of Cur-SMEDDS. The optimum composite sponge was fabricated from a 4% alginate and 2% HPMC mixed solution. It immediately floated on simulated gastric fluid (SGF, pH 1.2) and remained buoyant over an 8 h period. The formulation exhibited an emulsion droplet size of approximately 30 nm and provided sustained release of Cur-SMEDDS in SGF, reaching 71% within 8 h compared with only 10% release from curcumin powder. This study demonstrates the potential of alginate-based composite sponges combined with self-microemulsifying formulations for gastroretention applications involving poorly soluble compounds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, Hat-Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand. Arpa@buu.ac.th.|Phytomedicine and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Excellence Research Center, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, Hat-Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand. Arpa@buu.ac.th.
authors.forename: Arpa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petchsomrit
authors.affiliation: Drug and Cosmetic Research and Development Unit, School of Pharmacy, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80161, Thailand. namfa.se@wu.ac.th.
authors.forename: Namfa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sermkaew
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, Hat-Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand. ruedeekorn.w@psu.ac.th.|Phytomedicine and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Excellence Research Center, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, Hat-Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand. ruedeekorn.w@psu.ac.th.
authors.forename: Ruedeekorn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wiwattanapatapee
keywords: alginate; curcumin; self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems; sponge