Formulation and characterization of curcuminoids loaded solid lipid nanoparticles

Curcuminoids loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) have been successfully developed using a microemulsion technique at similar to 75 degrees C. It was found that variation in the amount of ingredients had profound effects on the curcuminoid loading capacity, the mean particle size, and size distribution. At optimized process conditions, lyophilized curcurninoids loaded SLNs showed spherical particles with a,mean particle size of similar to 450nm and a polydispersity index of 0.4. Up to 70% (w/w) curcuminoids incorporation efficacy was achieved. In vitro release studies showed a prolonged release of the curcuminoids from the solid lipid nanoparticles up to 12 It following the Higuchi's square root model. After 6-month storage at room temperature in the absence of sunlight, the physical and chemical stabilities of the lyophilized curcurninoids loaded SLNs could be maintained, i.e. the mean particle size and the amount of curcurninoids showed no significant changes (P > 0.05) compared to the freshly prepared SLNs. In addition, the chemical stability of curcuminoids incorporated into SLNs was further investigated by dispersing them into a model cream base. The results revealed that after storage in the absence of sunlight for 6 months, the percentages of the remaining curcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin and demethoxycurcumin were 91, 96 and 88, respectively. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.