Formulation Optimization, Physicochemical Characterization, and Biocompatibility Assessment of Curcumin‐Loaded Aquasomes
ABSTRACT Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound with numerous health benefits, suffers from poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability, limiting its therapeutic potential. This study aimed to characterize and enhance curcumin's bioavailability by aquasomes (AQ)—a novel drug delivery system comp...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley-VCH
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Nano Select |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/nano.202400162 |
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| Summary: | ABSTRACT Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound with numerous health benefits, suffers from poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability, limiting its therapeutic potential. This study aimed to characterize and enhance curcumin's bioavailability by aquasomes (AQ)—a novel drug delivery system comprising a core, a carbohydrate layer, and the drug. Using a central composite design within the response surface methodology, formulation parameters—core‐to‐coat ratio, incubation time, and drug amount—were optimized to achieve the desired particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential. Hydroxyapatite (HAP) cores were coated with various sugars (lactose, sucrose, maltose, and trehalose) and loaded with curcumin, then characterized by size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The optimized HAP cores exhibited a particle size of 55.41 nm. Curcumin‐loaded AQ showed larger sizes, with sucrose and maltose formulations measuring 215.6 and 329.5 nm, respectively. Encapsulation efficiencies ranged from 50% to 55.1%, with trehalose‐coated AQ showing the highest efficiency. Drug release studies demonstrated a sustained release profile, with trehalose AQ achieving 90% release within 100 min. Stability assessments indicated no significant changes over 90 days, and photostability tests showed improved protection against light‐induced degradation. The study developed curcumin‐loaded AQ with enhanced stability and solubility, optimized through quality by design principles, offering a promising strategy to improve curcumin's bioavailability. |
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| ISSN: | 2688-4011 |