Abstract

ENHANCEMENT OF AQUEOUS SOLUBILITY OF CURCUMIN BY SOLID DISPERSION TECHNOLOGY

Devendra Pratap Singh*. Jayanthi.C., K. Joshi. Hanumanthachar, G. Bharathi

Department of pharmaceutics, Sarada Vilas College of Pharmacy, Krishnamurthypuram,Mysore-570011, Karnataka, INDIA.

ABSTRACT

Curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound obtained from Turmeric Curcuma longa, has proven to be a modulator of intracellular signalling pathways. Studies indicate that it has a potential therapeutic value against most chronic diseases including neoplastic, neurological, cardiovascular etc. Clinically, it is considered extremely safe but has restrictive pharmaceutical role because of its extremely low aqueous solubility, and poor dissolution which curtails its bioavailability. This research is aimed to enhance dissolution, hence bioavailability of Curcumin. Solid dispersion (SD) is one of the most promising strategies to improve the oral bioavailability. SDs of Curcumin were prepared by both hot melt method and solvent evaporation method using polymers like PEG 4000, PEG 6000, PVP K-30 in drug : carrier ratios of 1:2, 1:4, 1:6, and 1:8 and drug, carrier and adsorbent (micro crystalline cellulose) ratio in solvent evaporation method was 1:1:2. In vitro dissolution studies reveal that the drug release by SDHM (H3) was 98.78 % in 10 min. Whereas pure Curcumin exhibited release of about 2.52 % after 90 min. Solvent evaporation method was found to be unsuccessful. Curcumin is observed to be highly unstable in the aqueous solution. FTIR studies, demonstrate the compatibility of the Curcumin with the polymers. SEM, X ray and DSC studies indicated change in the crystalline nature of Curcumin which might be responsible for the enhancement of dissolution and products were subjected to stability studies.

Keywords: Curcumin, SDHM (H3), Cmax , bioavailability.