Synthesis and Characterization of Alginate Gel Beads with Embedded Zeolite Structures as Carriers of Hydrophobic Curcumin

Abstract

Alginate-based beads containing a porous zeolite filler were developed as carriers of bioactive compounds with a hydrophobic nature, such as curcumin (Cur). Curcumin, a natural pigment extracted from the turmeric (Curcuma longa) plant, exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, and antiviral properties. To enhance the bioavailability of the drug, curcumin needs to be encapsulated in a suitable carrier that improves its dispersibility and solubility. Commercial A-type zeolites (Z5A) were used as curcumin-binding agents and they were immobilized within the alginate gel beads by cross-linking in calcium chloride solution during an extrusion dripping process. The process parameters (alginate and CaCl2 concentrations, needle gauge, collecting distance) were optimized to fabricate beads with good sphericity factor and 1.5–1.7 mm diameter in their hydrated state. The chemical structure of the gel beads was assessed using FTIR spectroscopy, while their thermal stability was evaluated through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Due to the alginate matrix, the composite Alg/ZA5-Cur beads possess pH-responsive properties. In addition, the gel beads were modified by chitosan (CS) to enhance the stability and control the degradation behavior of the gel matrix. The swelling behavior and the degradation of the beads were analyzed in physiological solutions with different pH values. Results demonstrate the stabilizing and protective effect of the chitosan coating, as well as the reinforcing effect of the zeolite filler. This makes the pH-responsive alginate gel beads good candidates for the delivery of lipophilic drugs to specific inflammatory sites.

Topical delivery of extracted curcumin as curcumin loaded spanlastics anti-aging gel: Optimization using experimental design and ex-vivo evaluation

“…The primary curcuminoid responsible for the majority of turmeric's therapeutic properties is curcumin which has the chemical formula C 21 H 20 O 6 and the scientific name diferuloylmethane ( Roman et al, 2020 ). This compound is naturally hydrophobic and does not readily dissolve in water; instead, it dissolves in substances like dimethyl sulfoxide, acetone, ethanol, and oils ( Ciarleglio et al, 2023 ).…”

Fabrication of Alginate/Ozoile Gel Microspheres by Electrospray Process

“…Gels based on natural polymers are extensively used in a wide range of biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering, scaffolds, and drug delivery [1][2][3]. These gels exhibit a three-dimensional network capable of absorbing and retaining large amounts of water and have exceptional biocompatibility, biodegradability, and renewability [4,5].…”