- Preparation of curcuminoid niosomes for enhancement of skin permeation.
Preparation of curcuminoid niosomes for enhancement of skin permeation.
Curcuminoids (curcumin, desmethoxycurcumin, and bisdesmethoxycurcumin) are major bioactive substances found in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) extracts and possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer properties. In this study, curcuminoid niosomes prepared with a series of Span non-ionic surfactants were developed to enhance the skin permeation of curcuminoids. Formulations were evaluated based on aggregation of niosomes, curcuminoid loading, % entrapment efficiency and in vitro permeation of curcuminoids through shed snake skin. Optimal formulations of curcuminoid niosomes including sorbitan monooleate, cholesterol, and Solulan C-24 at a mole ratio of 47.5:47.5:5 were obtained. Up to 11 micromoles of curcuminoids could be loaded in the niosome with a % entrapment efficiency of 83%. About 90% of the niosomes had a diameter of 12.25 +/- 5.00 microm. The niosomes significantly enhanced permeation of curcuminoids compared with a methanolic solution of curcuminoids: 4% of entrapped curcuminoids traversed the shed snake skin, whereas permeation from the methanolic solution was undetectable. The fluxes of curcumin, desmethoxycurcumin, and bisdesmethoxycurcumin were 1.117, 0.263, and 0.057 microg/(cm2h), respectively, consistent with the relative hydrophobicity of curcumin > desmethoxycurcumin > bisdesmethoxycurcumin. In conclusion, our data show that curcuminoids can be successfully formulated as niosomes and that such formulations have improved properties for transdermal delivery.