PHARMACODYNAMIC ACTIVITY OF CURCUMIN GELS PRODUCED FROM CURCUMIN SOLID LIPID NANOPARTICLES FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Abstract

The present work is the development and pharmacodynamic assessment of curcumin gels for targeted delivery at joints due to less expected side effects of the herbal component compared to NSAIDs. Initially curcumin was prepared as solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN's) to enhance solubility and dissolution. 10 formulations were prepared by solvent injection method by changing the concentration of stearic acid. They were evaluated by percentage drug content, in-vitro release, particle size, zeta potential, DSC and FTIR analysis. Percentage drug content for all formulations was in the range of 98.7 to 99.3%. F7 and F8 formulations has more drug release of 81.32% and 89.17%. Particle size of formulations F7 and F8 were 314.9 nm and 214.9 nm and zeta potential was -30.1 and -26.5 respectively. DSC and FTIR analysis indicated there is no interaction between the drug and polymers. The promising SLN's F7 and F8 were converted into gel using carbopol 934 and sodium carboxy methyl cellulose. Gels were evaluated for homogeneity, physical appearance, viscosity, pH, ex-vivo permeation studies and in-vivo pharmacodynamic activity. Prepared gels were homogenous, yellowish in color, viscosity ranges from 29000-42000 with a pH of 7.0. Ex-vivo permeation studies of gels prepared with 1:3 ratio of carbopol and sodium carboxy methyl cellulose formulation has more drug release of 96.39% than other gels. From in-vivo studies it was evident that at the end of the experiment, inflammation on both hind paws of rats treated with curcumin gel were reduced compared to untreated rats.