Spontaneous Emulsification as a Novel Approach for the Preparation and Characterization of Curcumin Nanoemulsion: Advancing Bioavailability and Therapeutic Efficacy

Abstract

Purpose: Curcumin is a phytochemical that is bioactive and exhibits strong therapeutic effects on several skin diseases. Curcumin's (CUR) low water solubility and restricted skin permeability constitute a major obstacle to its topical efficacy. The main objective was to prepare and evaluate a nanoemulsion using curcumin to improve its bioavailability. This work evaluated the impact of various emulsifiers (Cremophor ® RH 40 and PEG 400) and surfactant-to-oil ratios (s/o) on the stability, physical, and chemical characteristics of curcumin-loaded nanoemulsions. Clove oil and the Surfactant to cosurfactant (Smix) ratio of 1:1 were chosen in accordance with the ternary phase diagram's nanoemulsion zone, which illustrates the relationship between the nanoemulsion's phase behavior and composition in order to create a stable nanoemulsion loaded with curcumin.Materials and Methods: Curcumin-containing nanoemulsions were obtained through the spontaneous emulsification method.Results: Zeta potential, viscosity, particle size, and physical properties of the produced nanoemulsions were evaluated. Thus, Curcumin-containing Nanoemulsions (CUR-CLO NEG 1) stabilized with surfactant and cosurfactant had lower particle sizes and zeta potential of 30.2±0.11 and -38.3±0.23 respectively, thereby improving physical stabilities and increased drug content of 97±0.11%. Due to its decreased oil content, CNE1 has the lowest viscosity. Reduced oil content causes droplet size to decrease; this can be explained by how oil affects nanoemulsions' viscosity (i.e., lower viscosity values lead to reduced oil content).Conclusion: The findings from the above research work concluded that the curcumin nanoemulsion formulated using the spontaneous emulsion method produced a uniform and stable nanoemulsion with a small droplet size, which may be suitable for topical drug delivery

Keywords: Curcumin; Nanoemulsion; Solubility; Spontaneous emulsification; Smix