POLOXAMER-188 BASED CURCUMIN NANOEMULSION: FORMULATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND STABILITY FOR ENTRAPMENT EFFICIENCY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22159/ijap.2026v18i2.57293Keywords:
Curcumin, Nanoemulsion, Poloxamer-188, Particle size, Entrapment efficiencyAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to develop and characterize a curcumin-loaded nanoemulsion formulation to improve curcumin's solubility and bioavailability using poloxamer 188, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), tween-80, and polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG-400) as excipients.
Methods: Ten curcumin-loaded nanoemulsion formulations were optimized based on excipient combinations. These formulations were subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, particle size analysis, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and entrapment efficiency analysis to evaluate stability, solubility, and curcumin encapsulation efficiency.
Results: The study identified the optimal formulations (F5 to F8) based on their superior physical stability, as evidenced by minimal changes in viscosity and pH during freeze-thaw cycles. The entrapment efficiency of curcumin in these formulations ranged from 87.55% to 77.98%, indicating effective encapsulation. Characterization techniques, including DSC, HPLC, and FTIR, confirmed the stable incorporation of curcumin into the nanoemulsion with only minor structural modifications. The best formulation was demonstrated by Formula 5 with an average particle size of 195.3 nm, PDI of 0.36, and zeta potential of-16.2 mV. This formula showed uniform particle distribution and moderate colloidal stability among the other formulas. The TEM image showed spherical nanoparticles with smooth surfaces and consistent size distribution. Additionally, HPLC analysis of pure curcumin and nanoemulsion showed similar chromatographic profiles, confirming the stability and preservation of curcumin during the formulation process.
Conclusion: The optimized curcumin-loaded nanoemulsion demonstrated enhanced solubility and stability, with entrapment efficiency (EE) values ranging from 87.55% to 77.98%, indicating effective encapsulation of curcumin within the nanoemulsion system.
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