Improved anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin by designing self-emulsifying drug delivery system

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to prepare and evaluate self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) of curcumin (Cur) to enhance its solubility and percentage release for the evaluation of anti-inflammatory effect. Curcumin loaded SEDDS formulation was prepared, and zones of self-emulsification were recognized by dilution method for the construction of phase diagram. Lauroglycol FCC, tween 80 (surfactant), and transcutol HP (co-surfactant) were selected based on their solubility and highest emulsion region in phase diagram. Thermodynamic stability of Cur-SEDDS was calculated through globule size, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI), viscosity, and pH. Cur-SEDDS were also characterized by encapsulation efficiency (EE %), FT-IR, in vitro release, and in vivo anti-inflammatory effect. Results revealed that droplet size of Cur-SEDDS was 19.77 ± 0.03 nm with their PDI 0.22 ± 0.19, zeta potential −19.33 ± 0.94 and viscosity 25.68 ± 0.86 cp. EE % of Cur-SEDDS was found to be 94.99 ± 0.38%, percentage release 65.83% compared with pure Cur powder. The designed formulation possesses significant anti-inflammatory activity in paw edema when compared with positive control in carrageenan induced rat paw edema assay. Newly developed Cur-SEDDS with enhanced Cur solubility, percentage release, and better anti-inflammatory action may be an alternative source of oral delivery of Cur.

Keywords:

• Curcumin
• self-emulsifying drug delivery system
• enhancement of solubility
• release studies
• anti-inflammatory effect

Acknowledgements

Authors are very much thankful to the Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy for providing the lab facilities.

Ethical statement: Board of Advanced Studies and Research (BASR) letter can be provided on demand.

Disclosure statement

All the information provided in the manuscript are original and no results are copied from the previous literature. We are all very much thankful to the journal for considering our research work for further process of evaluation.

Additional information

Funding

Authors are very much thankful to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan for providing the financial assistance.