Formulation and evaluation of curcumin microsponges for oral and topical drug delivery

Meenakshi Bhatia,Megha Saini

doi:10.1007/s40204-018-0099-9

Meenakshi Bhatia, Megha Saini

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40204-018-0099-9

Copy DOI

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to improve the release rate of curcumin by microsponges prepared through quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion technique using ethylcellulose and PVA as carriers. The microsponges were characterized by FTIR, DSC, XRD and SEM studies followed by determination of total drug content and entrapment efficiency. The prepared microsponges were further filled in hard gelatin capsule shell and then loaded in carbopol gel to evaluate its potential in oral and topical drug delivery. Further, it was observed from the studies on release rate that microsponges filled in hard gelatin capsule shells (batch MS4) showed 93.2% release of curcumin whereas pure curcumin filled in capsule showed only 11.7% release in 8 h study. Furthermore, the microsponges loaded in carbopol gel were evaluated for ex vivo drug deposition studies and it was found that 77.5% of the curcumin was released within 24 h. The estimated drug remained in the skin was 207.61 ± 5.03 μg/cm2 as determined by a Franz diffusion cell. The drug release profile data were found to be fitted best into the zero-order model with anomalous transport mechanism of drug release in both cases.

Highlights

Microsponges are extremely cross-linked, non-collapsible, porous, polymeric microspheres having particle size range from 5 to 300 μm that can entrap wide range of active ingredients and release them over extended time (Osmani et al 2015)
After filling the CUR microsponges in capsule shells along with the excipients starch, acacia, sodium lauryl sulfate, lactose monohydrate and magnesium stearate, the filled capsules were evaluated for their organoleptic properties
Curcumin microsponges were uniformly dispersed in carbopol gel

Summary

Introduction

Microsponges are extremely cross-linked, non-collapsible, porous, polymeric microspheres having particle size range from 5 to 300 μm that can entrap wide range of active ingredients and release them over extended time (Osmani et al 2015). Microsponges have unique dissolution and compression properties due to their sponge-like texture (Jangde 2011). They are highly effective, stable, non-irritant, nontoxic, non-allergic, non-mutagenic and minimum side effects with improved patient compliance (Amrutiya et al 2009). These active microsponges can be incorporated into formulations, such as capsules, gel and powders, and share a broad package of benefits (Pawar et al 2015; Bothiraja et al 2014; Li et al 2013; Deshmukh and Poddar 2012; Jain and Singh 2011; Jain et al 2011).

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion