Advancement in herbal drug delivery can breakthrough barriers of poor bioavailability in traditional herbal drug delivery. Curcumin, besides its major drawback of poor bioavailability, is proven as potential anti-inflammatory and anti-neoplastic drug. This research work explains methods for development and optimization of curcumin self-micro emulsifying formulation. Box-Behnken Response Surface methodology was employed in optimization process to keep numbers of run minimum. Based on solubility study of curcumin in various excipients, Capmul-MCM®, Acconon-MC8®, Acrysol-EL135® and Polysorbate-80 were selected as components for development of lipid based formulation. Ternary phase diagrams were employed to determine lower and higher levels for experimental design. Amount of components of formulation were selected as independent factor, while droplet size, polydispersibility index and rate of emulsification were selected as dependent factors. Various characterizations of optimized self-emulsifying formulation were also evaluated. Optimized formulation revealed was: 200 mg curcumin, 2.2 ml capmul MCM, 1.6 ml acrysol EL135, 4.4 ml acconon MC8 and 1.6 ml propylene glycol.
Loading....