Formulation development and evaluation of floating microspheres of curcumin

There are several approaches that have been developed in order to increase the gastric residence time (GRT) floating drug delivery system is one of them. Floating microspheres improve the bioavailability and releasing for long period of time. In the current investigation curcumin floating microspheres are being developed to extend the drug release.

Emulsion solvent evaporation approach is used for development of floating microspheres by using Eudragit RS100, HPMC K100, Ethyl Cellulose as polymers. Acetone and Ethanol was used as a solvent in a ratio of 10:5. Stirring speed of mechanical stirrer was 900rpm.

There was no reaction between the drug and excipients according to FTIR analysis. The developed microspheres have virtually spherical shapes and particle size range was between 200 - 420μm. The effectiveness of the drug entrapment was found between 60 - 98.4%. It was found that the buoyancy was between 70 - 92%. The in-vitro drug release was found to be 99.5 of batch 15. The developed microspheres indicated prolonged drug release of 12hrs. The optimized batch was B15.

According to results of the research, developing gastro-retentive floating microspheres of curcumin using the emulsion solvent evaporation method with HPMC K100, Eudragit RS100, and ethyl cellulose is a promising method.