Formulation and Evaluation of Mucoadhesive Buccal Tablets of Curcumin and its Bioavailability Study

Abstract

Aim: The main objective of the present work is to improve the bioavailability of curcumin by buccal route and to study in-vitro and in-vivo drug release. Materials and Methods: The mucoadhesive buccal tablets were formulated by direct compression method using hydrophilic polymers such as guar gum, xanthan gum, HPMC E15 in different concentration and piperine as permeation enhancers (1%). Ethylcellulose is used as backing layer to promote the unidirectional flow of drug in the buccal region. Curcumin has a number of beneficial activities, such as potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-rheumatic and anti-diabetic. When Curcumin is administered orally it has low bioavailability because of poor absorption, rapid GIT metabolism and hepatic first pass metabolism. Curcumin has poor aqueous solubility and better lipid solubility, and buccal region consist of lipid, so the absorption of curcumin can be increased by this route. Results and Discussion: The FT-IR spectra of pure drug with different polymers showed no shift in peak, indicating absence of interaction. The prepared formulations were evaluated for pre-compression studies such as bulk density, tapped density, angle of repose. The post-compressions studies such as weight variation, thickness, friability, hardness, mucoadhesive strength, drug content, swelling studies, in-vitro diffusion studies and in-vitro dissolution studies. Conclusion: All the prepared formulations were within the standard Pharmacopoeial limit. The formulation (FX2) containing xanthan gum showed the best dissolution (97.75%) within 4.0 hours and it follows higuchi model. The in-vivo animal study showed the better bioavailability by buccal route when compare to oral route.