Curcumin-encapsulated polysaccharide nanocomposite: Formulation design, Optimization and Characterization

Abstract

<strong>Introduction</strong>: Nano systems have gained great attention due to many unique physicochemical characteristics, such as high-capacity for loading of cargo, high stability and ability to entrap both hydrophobic and hydrophilic therapeutics.<br /> <strong>Objective</strong>: In this research, with the aim of improve the loading efficiency and particle size Chitosan (CS)-Montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposite were prepared.<br /> <strong>Materials and Methods</strong>: Cs-MMT nanocomposite were prepared using an ionic gelatinization method for controlled delivery of curcumin and optimized via response surface method. Different formulation and processing variables (Cs concentration, MMT percentage, surfactant concentration, drug amount and sonication time) were used to determine the optimal formulation.<br /> <strong>Results</strong>: Two parameters of polysaccharide concentration and tween volume were selected to obtain optimal formulation with highest loading efficiency and minimum particle size. Polysaccharide concentration, surfactant concentration and sonication time had higher effect on particle size. MMT addition significantly enhanced the entrapment efficiency of Curcumin. Also, the increase in drug amount (mg/ml) resulted in the increase in entrapment efficiency. Physicochemical characteristics of optimal formulation were determined in terms of entrapment efficiency, release profile, Size, Zeta potential, surface morphology.<br /> <strong>Conclusion</strong>: Formulation S1 with a particle size of 97 nm, a loading efficiency of 91% and a Zeta potential of 37.2 mV was selected as the optimal formulation. The in vitro release study showed that Curcumin had a slow and sustained release profile at basic pH 7.4, which significantly increased at acidic pH of 4.5. The maximum release was 80% at 37°C, pH 4.5 after 24 hours.