FORMULATION OF CURCUMINOID LOADED SOLID LIPID NANOPARTICLES IN ORDER TO IMPROVE ORAL BIOAVAILABILITY

Objective: Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) of Curcuminoids were formulated and characterized in order to improve poor oral bioavailability of Curcumin. In vivo pharmacokinetics study in rats was conducted to demonstrate improved oral bioavailability.Methods: High pressure homogenization followed by ultrasonication method was adopted to formulate solid lipid nanoparticles of Curcumin. Compritol 888 ATO and Precirol ATO 5 were explored as solid lipids with LIPOID S 75 being used as surfactant. Freeze dried solid lipid nanoparticles were compared with marketed formulation of Curcumin (Adcumin®) in rat plasma using High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method using ultraviolet (UV) detector.Results: Particle size measurements performed on Solid lipid nanoparticles of Curcumin revealed the mean particle size of 200-300 nm for optimized formulations and entrapment efficiency of close to 80%. Sucrose and Dextrose were suitable cryoprotectants to prepare freeze dried solid lipid nanoparticles. Curcumin loaded solid lipid nanoparticles exhibited sustained release pattern during in vitro release kinetics.Conclusion: In vivo pharmacokinetics study in Swiss albino rats revealed that encapsulation of Curcumin into solid lipid nanoparticles increased oral bioavailability of Curcumin to 12 folds when compared with marketed formulation of Raw Curcumin (Adcumin®).Â