Encapsulation of Curcumin and Curcumin Derivative in Polymeric Nanospheres

Abstract

Curcumin and curcumin derivative were loaded on biocompatible methyl methacrylate–hydroxyethyl methacrylate copolymeric nanospheres via in situ microemulsion polymerization. The effect of monomer composition and the emulsifier concentration on the entrapment efficiency, the particle size, and zeta potential of the drug loaded-polymeric nanospheres have been studied. The hydrophilic curcumin derivative was loaded with a high value which reached to about (92 ± 0.5%) against (85 ± 0.8%) recorded for the hydrophobic curcumin. In vitro release of curcumin and its derivative loaded in polymeric nanospheres showed slow and a sustained release pattern.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Anti-cancer
• Curcumin
• Microemulsion
• Nanospheres