CUR-CA-THIONE: A novel curcumin concoction with enhanced water solubility and brain bio-availability

Abstract

Objective: Curcumin, is widely studied as a potential drug in treating various disorders but lacks applicability due to poor water solubility and tissue bioavailability. The main objective of the study was to develop a formulation of curcumin that has enhanced water solubility and brain bioavailability. Methods: A curcumin concoction was prepared using solvent evaporation technique taking casein and glutathione as vectors. Various process parameters were identified namely time, temperature, pH and vector while formulation parameters included drug entrapment, anti-oxidant activity, and water solubility. The concoctions were evaluated for in vitro release kinetics at three pH i.e. 1.2, 4.5 and 6.2 at six-time intervals i.e. 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 120 min using dialysis bag membrane. The same kinetics was further validated using same time points with wistar rats and giving concoction at a single dose of 2 g/kg via the oral route. Results: A concoction i.e. CUR-CA-THIONE having significant entrapment efficiency (77.83%, 97.75%, 90.19%), water solubility (40, 350 and 45 times than normal curcumin) and DPPH activity (IC50: 28.91, 25.07 and 27.89) was evaluated in concoctions CUR-CA-THIONE-T.1, CUR-CA-THIONE-T.2 and CUR-CA-THIONE-T.3 respectively. These formulations were then carried out for in vitro release profile at different pH with average release obtained between 20-30 min. In vivo kinetics was studied by isolating tissues like brain, liver, lung, kidney and spleen in male wistar rats and maximum brain bioavailability was observed for CUR-CA-THIONE-T.3 at 30 min with 75 ng/g of brain tissue. Conclusion: The experiment helps in concluding that CUR-CA-THIONE has improved its water solubility and is able to by-pass systemic circulation to targeted activity.