Soluble hydrolysis-resistant composite formulation of curcumin containing α-glucosyl hesperidin and polyvinylpyrrolidone

Abstract

We developed a formulation for increasing the water solubility of curcumin (CUR). The new formulation also protected CUR from hydrolytic degradation. A ternary system of CUR/α-glucosyl hesperidin (hesperidin-G)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) K-30 was prepared by the solvent evaporation method. Although the binary sample of CUR/hesperidin-G showed increased solubility, the effect disappeared within a few hours of storage in aqueous media. In contrast, the ternary system of CUR/hesperidin-G/PVP K-30 (1:10:5, weight ratio) exhibited a long-lasting solubility increase. This supersaturated CUR solution remained stable even after 24h, as shown by the 2600-fold increase in solubility compared with untreated CUR. The stability of CUR to hydrolytic degradation under alkaline conditions was improved dramatically by adding hesperidin-G and PVP K-30, whereas untreated CUR completely decomposed after a few minutes. The solubilizing effect may arise from the formation of an amorphous solid dispersion, including CUR, and from complex formation between CUR, hesperidin-G, and PVP K-30 in aqueous media. The complex may also protect CUR from hydrolytic degradation.