Improved anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin by designing self-emulsifying drug delivery system
Muhammad Hanif, Nabeela Ameer, Muhammad Khalid Mahmood, Shehzad Ahmed, Muhammad Azeem, Hafsa Latif Rana, Muhammad Usman Minhas
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to prepare and evaluate self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) of curcumin (Cur) to enhance its solubility and percentage release for the evaluation of anti-inflammatory effect. Curcumin loaded SEDDS formulation was prepared, and zones of self-emulsification were recognized by dilution method for the construction of phase diagram. Lauroglycol FCC, tween 80 (surfactant), and transcutol HP (co-surfactant) were selected based on their solubility and highest emulsion region in phase diagram. Thermodynamic stability of Cur-SEDDS was calculated through globule size, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI), viscosity, and pH. Cur-SEDDS were also characterized by encapsulation efficiency (EE %), FT-IR, in vitro release, and in vivo anti-inflammatory effect. Results revealed that droplet size of Cur-SEDDS was 19.77 ± 0.03 nm with their PDI 0.22 ± 0.19, zeta potential −19.33 ± 0.94 and viscosity 25.68 ± 0.86 cp. EE % of Cur-SEDDS was found to be 94.99 ± 0.38%, percentage release 65.83% compared with pure Cur powder. The designed formulation possesses significant anti-inflammatory activity in paw edema when compared with positive control in carrageenan induced rat paw edema assay. Newly developed Cur-SEDDS with enhanced Cur solubility, percentage release, and better anti-inflammatory action may be an alternative source of oral delivery of Cur.