FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF MICROPARTICLES CONTAINING CURCUMIN FOR COLORECTAL CANCER

Abstract

The aim of this present investigation was to formulate and evaluate pH sensitive polymer coated micro particles containing Curcumin for colon targeting. pH sensitive polymer such as Eudragit S 100 were selected as a model encapsulation material. The micro particles were prepared by solvent evaporation technique using different ratio of curcumin and Eudragit (1:1to1:3). The prepared microspheres were subjected to various evaluation parameters such as angle of repose, drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning colorimeter, in-vitro release studies, release kinetics and stability studies. Scanning electron microscopy revealed spherical nature and smooth surface morphology of the microspheres. The size of the microspheres was between 29.21-31.27µm. The encapsulation efficiency was between 21.73% - 43.75 % and drug content was between 14.83% - 18.36 %. The FT-IR and DSC thermograms confirmed the absence of drug polymer interaction. The micro particles prepared were filled in hard gelatin capsules which were enteric coated with cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP) which prevent the burst effect of capsule in acidic pH of stomach. The in vitro release study showed that there was no drug release in pH 1.2 acidic buffer, drug release was between 66.12% - 71.87% for 10 hrs in phosphate buffer and controlled by Fickian diffusion mechanism. It is concluded from the present investigation that Eudragit microspheres are promising controlled release carriers for colon-targeted delivery of curcumin.