THERAPEUTIC MICROEMULSION OF CURCUMIN FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF OSTEOARTHRITIS

Abstract

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is a natural polyphenolic compound with potent anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antioxidant activities. However, its bioavailability is low as it is poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Microemulsions offer the potential to improve the solubility and bioavailability of bioactive compounds; the present work investigated the topical delivery potential of microemulsion gel loaded with curcumas. Curcumin microemulsion was prepared by spontaneous emul­sification method using oil (Oleic acid), surfactant:cosurfactant (Smix) (Ethanol and Tween 80, Span 80 and n Butanol) and water. The optimized formulations of microemulsions were subjected to thermodynamic stability tests. After stability study, stable formulation was characterized for droplet size, pH determination, centrifugation, % drug content in microemulsion, zeta potential and vesicle size measurement and then microemulsion gel were prepared and characterized for spreadability, measurement of viscosity, drug content, In-vitro diffusion, in-vitro release data. Tween 80, Span 80 was selected as surfactant, ethanol, n Butanol as co surfactant and Oleic acid as oil component based on solubility study. The optimized formulation contained Curcumin (10 mg). The in vitro drug release from curcumin microemulsion gel was found to be considerably higher in comparison to that of the pure drug. The in-vitro diffusion of microemulsion gel was significantly good. Based on this study, it can be concluded the solubility and permeability of curcumin can be increased by formulating into microemulsion gel.
 Keyword: Curcumin, Microemulsion, In-vitro diffusion, Spreadability, Zeta potential, Stability, span 40