Preparation and Enhancement of Oral Bioavailability of Curcumin Using Microemulsions Vehicle

A new microemulsions system of curcumin (CUR-MEs) was successfully developed to improve the solubility and bioavailability of curcumin. Several formulations of the microemulsions system were prepared and evaluated using different ratios of oils, surfactants, and co-surfactants (S&CoS). The optimal formulation, which consists of Capryol 90 (oil), Cremophor RH40 (surfactant), and Transcutol P aqueous solution (co-surfactant), could enhance the solubility of curcumin up to 325 mg/mL. The pharmacokinetic study of microemulsions was performed in rats compared to the corresponding suspension. The stability of microemulsions after dilution was excellence. Microemulsions have significantly increased the C-max and area under the curve (AUC) in comparison to that in suspension (p < 0.05). The relative bioavailability of curcumin in microemulsions was 226 fold higher than that in suspension. The results indicated that the CUR-MEs could be used as an effective formulation for enhancing the oral bioavailability of curcumin.