Encapsulation of curcumin into layered double hydroxides

Abstract

This study focuses on the encapsulation of natural curcumin present in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) into a layered double hydroxide (LDH), which demonstrates slow release properties with future potential in therapeutic applications such as slow release wound dressings. Turmeric has been used in traditional medicinal applications since ancient times. The main active substances in turmeric are curcumin together with two related compounds, demethoxycurcumin (DMC) and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC), which have been extensively studied as antibacterial compounds. However, these molecules are unstable and, therefore, demonstrate limited biological activity and practical applications. In this study, attempts were made to synthesize curcumin in-situ encapsulated layered LDHs in order to stabilize the curcumin molecules within the nanolayers of the LDHs. The curcumin intercalated LDHs were synthesized by a simple in-situ co-precipitation method. The release characteristics of curcumin from the nanocomposites were quantitatively monitored under different pH conditions using UV-Visible spectroscopic methods, and the results indicate that the nanocomposite has the future potential in slow release therapeutic applications.