Co-encapsulation of Curcumin and Boswellic Acids in Chitosan-Coated Niosome: An In-vitro Digestion Study

Abstract

Aim In this study chitosan-coated niosome (ChN) was utilized for bioavailability enhancement of curcumin (Cn) and boswellic acids (BAs). Methods The bare niosome (BN) was prepared by the heating method and optimized by using the mixture design procedure. Physicochemical stability, as well as the in vitro release, and bioavailability of Cn and BAs in BN and ChN were studied. Results The optimized BN had a mean diameter of 70.00 ± 0.21 nm and surface charge of -31.00 ± 0.25 mv, which changed to 60.01 ± 0.20 nm and +40.00 ± 0, respectively, in ChN. In-vitro digestion study revealed chitosan layer augmented the bioavailability of Cn and BAs to 79.02 ± 0.13 and 81 ± 0.10, respectively. The chitosan layer obviously improved the physical stability of Cn and BA in the niosome vehicle, by means of vesicle size, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency. Conclusion The Chitosan-coated niosome was considered to be promising delivery system for increasing the bioavailability of Cn and BAs.