PREPARATION AND EVALUATION OF MICROENCAPSULATED CURCUMIN VAGINAL GEL

Shafiya Khanum*, J. Adlin Jino Nesalin and T. Tamizh Mani

ABSTRACT

The main objective of this research is to evaluate a new approach for the preparation of bio adhesive microspheres and to design an innovative vaginal delivery system for curcumin which is able to enhance the drug anticancer activity. Five different formulations of curcumin encapsulated microspheres were prepared by solvent evaporation method with different drug/polymer ratio by using the mucoadhesive polymer such as Eudragit S 100. The microspheres were found to be discrete, spherical with free-flowing properties and evaluated for particle size analysis, shape (scanning electron microscopy), drug encapsulation efficiency, FTIR, DSC studies and in vitro release performance. The best selected microsphere formulation (F2, containing drug: polymer ratio 1:2) and FS3 were incorporated into vaginal gel preparation using a stirring method in order to obtain a sustained release microencapsulated curcumin containing bio adhesive gel. The pH, spreadability, extrudability, viscosity, in vitro drug release, drug release kinetics, bio adhesion test, and accelerated stability studies of selected microencapsulated gel formulations were evaluated. In vitro drug release rate for selected bio adhesive vaginal gel (FS3 gel, containing 1 % w/w of drug loaded microspheres and 0.6 % w/w of Carbopol 934) was found to sustain curcumin over 12h. The results were then compared statistically and obtained a satisfactory correlation. Hence in conclusion, the microencapsulated bio adhesive gel of curcumin would be an alternative candidate for treatment of vaginal cancer since it has suitable gel properties with good vaginal retention.

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