The aim of the present study was to improve the release rate of curcumin by microsponges prepared through quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion technique using ethylcellulose and PVA as carriers. The microsponges were characterized by FTIR, DSC, XRD and SEM studies followed by determination of total drug content and entrapment efficiency. The prepared microsponges were further filled in hard gelatin capsule shell and then loaded in carbopol gel to evaluate its potential in oral and topical drug delivery. Further, it was observed from the studies on release rate that microsponges filled in hard gelatin capsule shells (batch MS4) showed 93.2% release of curcumin whereas pure curcumin filled in capsule showed only 11.7% release in 8 h study. Furthermore, the microsponges loaded in carbopol gel were evaluated for ex vivo drug deposition studies and it was found that 77.5% of the curcumin was released within 24 h. The estimated drug remained in the skin was 207.61 ± 5.03 μg/cm2 as determined by a Franz diffusion cell. The drug release profile data were found to be fitted best into the zero-order model with anomalous transport mechanism of drug release in both cases.
Background:
Envisaging the poor solubility (56ng/ml) and permeability of tetrahydrocurcumin (THCC), it was formulated into lipidic nanostructures to enhance its bioavailability upon topical application to promote the healing process for skin inflammatory disorders. Lack of literature on suitable method for determining THCC per se and nanoformulations prompted us to develop a RP-HPLC method to detect the drug in its nanostructures and in pig ear skin post dermatokinetics.
Objective:
The present investigation aimed to develop a simple, precise and RP-HPLC method for the quantitative estimation of THCC in prepared lipidic nanostructures, its ointment and in skin homogenate obtained post dermatokinetic study.
Method:
THCC encapsulated nanostructures and ointment were formulated using modified emulsification method and embedded into an ointment base to enhance its spreadability and improve patient compliance. A fast and sensitive reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography method was developed using a Hypersil BDS reverse phase C18 column (4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5 μm) with mobile phase comprising tetrahydrofuran (THF) and 1 mgmL-1 citric acid (4:6), at a flow rate of 1.0 mLmin−1 with a run time of 20 min.
Result:
THCC nanostructures were successfully prepared using spontaneous microemulsification method. THCC was detected at 282 nm and revealed two peaks which were attributed to the keto-enol tautomerism in the molecule with retention times of 6.23 min and 11.06 min respectively. The assay of THCC in nanostructures and ointment was found to be 98.30% and 99.98% with entrapment efficiency 77.00±2.74 %. The dermatokinetic studies revealed sufficient release of THCC from its ointment up till 24 hr with a concentration of 1382 μgcm-2, for causing a therapeutic effect.
Conclusion:
The method was found to be reproducible and robust as shown by low coefficient of variation and a constant analyte/IS ratio. It was successfully employed for the estimation of THCC assay in nanostructures and it’s ointment and dermatokinetic analysis in skin.
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