Abstract

DEVELOPMENT OF CURCUMIN NANOCRYSTALS AND EVALUATION OF GI ABSORPTION EFFICIENCY IN COPMPARISON WITH CURCUMIN AND TURMERIC POWDER

Jeevana Jyothi B.* and Sravani R.

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present research work was to prepare curcumin nanocrystals and to assess GI absorption in comparison with pure curcumin and turmeric powder, an INDIAN food ingredient. Eight formulations of nanocrystals of curcumin were prepared in two steps involving homogenization and lyophillization each containing 500 mg of curcumin. polyvinylpyrrolidone, poloxomer 407, PEG 15000, pluronics f-68 stabilizers were used as stabilizers. The prepared nanocrystals were evaluated for uniformity of drug content, solubility studies, in-vitro drug release studies. The drug content values ranging in between 93.25 to 99.23% were acceptable. Solubility of curcumin was reasonably enhanced from all nanocrystals and free solubility of 211.61 μg/ml was evidenced from formulation F5.In-vitro drug release of 92.24%. in 120 min was highest from formulation, F5. Ex-vivo absorption studies using intestinal membrane of goat revealed highest release 72.83% from promising formulation, F5 than pure curcumin and turmeric powder release data of 44.6% and 41.3% after 24 hr. Hence it is concluded from these studies that domestic Indian food ingredient, turmeric do not aid reasonable absorption and dissolution of curcumin through GI membrane and hence cannot expect beneficial pharmacological effects of its principle ingredient curcumin when it is used in foods. But the solubility and absorption of curcumin nanocrystals were enhanced to appreciably extent to elicit its clinical applications.

Keywords: Curcumin, Turmeric, curcumin nanosrystals, solubility, enhanced absorption, in-vitro dissolution.