The Electro-Spun Sublingual Film Containing Curcumin Micelles

Abstract

Hydrophilic polymers D-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS-1000) and Poloxamer-188 were combined for the formulation of a sublingual film that aids in improving the oral bioavailability of the drug curcumin, which is not very soluble. For the formulation of micelles, the thin-film hydration technique was used and then electro-spun into a sublingual film that contained 13 % w/v PVP. Following that, prepared micelles and films were assessed and evaluated (particle size, PDI, zeta potential, %EE, pH studies, disintegration time, and in vitro drug release). According to the findings, the average particle size of the blended micelles was 230.2 nm. The ideal formulation of mixed micelles had a mean zeta potential and PDI of 20.73 mV and 0.258±0.038, respectively. Additionally, an entrapment efficiency of 82% was reached. In an aqueous medium, the film disintegrated in 40±10 seconds. Micelles were incorporated into the film without losing their integrity. Importantly, as compared to a pure drug, the films with micelles put on them showed improved bioavailability, high permeability and rapid absorption of the curcumin. Compared to the pure drug, the bioavailability of the films was increased by around 2.18 times due to the presence of mixed micelles loaded with curcumin. The results also showed that micelles-loaded sublingual films performed well in vitro for bioavailability improvement. In the end, it was found that films containing a mixture of poloxamer-188 and TPGS-1000 micelles would function effectively as carriers to boost curcumin’s bioavailability.