Niosomal Encapsulation of Curcumin: Formulation and Characterization

Aim: Because of its many actions, curcumin, a plant-derived polyphenolic substance found naturally in turmeric (Curcuma longa), has been the focus of a significant investigation. The utilization of safe, useful, and highly functional chemicals obtained from natural sources in human nutrition/prevention/therapy needs some modifications to achieve multifunctionality, enhance the bioavailability, and delivery methods, all to enhance their efficacy. Curcumin's limited water solubility, fast metabolism and removal from the body, and hence low bioavailability, are significant obstacles to its use. To address these issues, a variety of new drug delivery systems with multiple routes of administration have evolved. Encapsulating the medication in vesicular structures is one such technique that, if successful in enabling selective absorption, can be predicted to extend the drug's life in systemic circulation and reduce toxicity. As a result, several vesicular drug delivery methods, including liposomes, niosomes, transfersomes, and pharmacosomes, have been developed. Since then, developments in vesicular drug delivery have resulted in the creation of systems that enable drug targeting as well as the prolonged or controlled release of traditional medications. The present study aimed to develop and characterize curcumin-loaded niosomes.

Design of Study: In present study 32 factorial method was used to formulate different formulations of niosomes containing curcumin.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacy, IFTM University Moradabad, From December to May 2021.

Methodology: Various niosomal formulations of curcumin were developed by using surfactant and cholesterol by thin-film hydration technique. Total 9 formulations were developed and characterized (32 factorial designs).

Results: Formulation N7 was considered as an optimized formulation since formulation F7 has maximum drug entrapment and a prolonged drug release rate. The present study suggests that the concentration of surfactant and cholesterol affects % drug loading efficiency of niosomes. The percentage entrapment efficiency of niosomes increases on the increasing concentration of surfactant (Span 60) and cholesterol but above a certain concentration of cholesterol further increment in cholesterol concentration reduces drug entrapment efficiency of niosomes.