Effect of hydrogen bond formation/replacement on solubility characteristics, gastric permeation and pharmacokinetics of curcumin by application of powder solution technology

The present research aimed to improve the dissolution rate and bioavailability of curcumin using the potential of liquisolid technology. Twelve drug-loaded liquisolid systems (LS-1 to LS-12) were prepared using different vehicles (PEG 200, PEG 400 and Tween 80) and curcumin concentrations in vehicle (40%, 50%, 60% and 70%, w/w). The carrier [microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) PH102] to coat (Aerosil(®)) ratio was 20 in all formulations. The systems were screened for pre-compression properties before being compressed to liquisolid tablets (LT-1 to LT-12). Post compression tests and in vitro dissolution of LTs were conducted and the results compared with those obtained for a directly compressed tablet (DCT) made of curcumin, MCC PH102 and Aerosil(®). LTs exhibited higher cumulative drug release (CDR) than the DCT and the optimum formulation, LT-9 (made using Tween 80), was studied by powder XRD, DSC, SEM and FTIR. Ex-vivo permeation of curcumin from LT-9 through goat gastrointestinal mucosa was significantly (P<0.05) enhanced and its oral bioavailability was increased 18.6-fold in New Zealand rabbits. In vitro cytotoxicity (IC(50)) of LT-9 towards NCL 87 cancer cells was 40.2 µmol/L substantiating its anticancer efficacy. Accelerated stability studies revealed insignificant effects of temperature and humidity on LT-9. In summary, solubility enhancement of curcumin in LTs produced significant improvements in its permeation and bioavailability.