Influence of hydrotrope on solubility and bioavailability of curcumin: its complex formation and solid-state characterization

Abstract

In this study, meglumine (Meg) and arginine (Arg), acting as the hydrotrope, were used to form the stable curcumin (Cur)-hydrotrope complexes, respectively. Based on the single factor experiment optimization, the Cur-Meg/or Cur-Arg complex was prepared and then characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results showed that Cur-Meg/Arg complexes bound together by hydrogen bonds/or ionic bonds were successfully prepared and the amorphous state of Cur appeared in their complexes. Compared with the Cur-Meg complex, Cur-Arg had better stability in stress testing. Cur-Meg/Arg complexes had a faster drug release rate in vitro and the area-under-curve (AUC) of Cur-Meg/Arg solutions in rats were at least 6.3-fold larger than that of the Cur suspensions. These findings suggest that hydrotropy combined with solid dispersion technique is a simple and effective way to improve the bioavailability of Cur.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The optimal Cur-Meg/or Cur-Arg complex powder was prepared and characterized.

• The Cur release rate in vitro was significantly improved.

• The bioavailability can be improved when using Cur-Meg/or Cur-Arg complex.

• A simple and effective way to improve the bioavailability of Cur.

Keywords:

• Hydrotropy technique
• curcumin
• meglumine
• arginine
• complex
• bioavailability

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province (No. C2021201026, H2018201045), the Science and Technology Project of Hebei Education Department (ZD2018054).