Optimization and development of curcumin as Poor water solubility, by solid dispersion method

Background: Poor water solubility and physiochemical properties with low bioavailability continue to pose major challenges in developing a curcumin formulation for clinical efficacy. Dissolution behavior according to solid dispersion is one of the best technique. Solid dispersion, involved the formation of eutectic mixtures of drugs with water-soluble carriers by the melting of their physical mixtures. A very important process for Research & Development in any pharmaceutical industry is technique for optimizing the drug formula. Previously we used curcumin extract with 0.8% in the preparation of syrup whereas according to this method it has been reached upper than 30% with optimization method. This process is not only critical but also difficult as it involves various formulation parameters to be modulated all in the same process. This technique can be used to obtain a homogeneous distribution of a small amount of drugs at solid state, to stabilize unstable drugs, to dispense liquid or even gaseous compound.Methods: All stages of laboratory process have been done in SGA (Salamat Gostar Artiman) pharmaceutical Co, Ltd. (Iran, Tehran). In this present study, curcumin was formulated and optimized by solid dispersion method with use of effective polymers in the pharmaceutical process like: PEG 6000, PEG 4000 which ultimately causes improved the bioavailability of curcumin. Curcumin – PEG, SD (solid dispersion) in different ratios (1:3, 1:5, 1:10) were prepared according fusion method. Process was optimized by Response Surface Methodology (RSM), Central Composite Design (CCD), Moreover dissolution rate and physicochemical characterizations based on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and FTIR were used. Preparation of the physical mixtures, Preparation of the solid dispersions and Solubility study were employed.