Design and Development of a Self-nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System for Co-delivery of Curcumin and Naringin for Improved Wound Healing Activity in an Animal Model

Planta Med. 2024 Oct;90(12):959-970. doi: 10.1055/a-2376-6380. Epub 2024 Jul 30.

Abstract

The present study endeavored to design and develop a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system to improve the solubility and dermatological absorption of curcumin and naringin. Curcumin and naringin-loaded self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system formulations were developed using aqueous phase titration. Phase diagrams were used to pinpoint the self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system zones. Tween 80 and Labrasol (surfactants), Transcutol (cosurfactant), and cinnamon oil were chosen from a large pool of surfactants, cosurfactants, and oils based on their solubility and greatest nano-emulsion region. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, zeta sizer, and atomic force microscopy were used to characterize the optimized formulations and test for dilution and thermodynamic stability. The optimized curcumin-naringin-self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system demonstrated the following characteristics: polydispersity index (0.412 ± 0.03), % transmittance (97%), particle size (212.5 ± 05 nm), zeta potential (- 25.7 ± 1.80 mV) and having a smooth and spherical droplet shape, as shown by atomic force microscopy. The ability of their combined formulation to cure wounds was tested in comparison to pure curcumin suspension, empty self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system, and standard fusidic acid. Upon topical administration, the optimized curcumin-naringin-self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system demonstrated significant wound healing activity in comparison with a pure curcumin suspension, empty self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system, and standard fusidic acid. Based upon this result, we assume that skin penetration was increased by using the optimized curcumin-naringin-self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system with enhanced solubility.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Curcumin* / administration & dosage
  • Curcumin* / chemistry
  • Curcumin* / pharmacokinetics
  • Curcumin* / pharmacology
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Emulsions*
  • Ethylene Glycols
  • Flavanones* / administration & dosage
  • Flavanones* / chemistry
  • Flavanones* / pharmacology
  • Glycerides / chemistry
  • Male
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Particle Size
  • Polysorbates* / chemistry
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Solubility
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
  • Surface-Active Agents* / chemistry
  • Wound Healing* / drug effects

Substances

  • Curcumin
  • naringin
  • Flavanones
  • Emulsions
  • Polysorbates
  • Surface-Active Agents
  • carbitol
  • Labrasol
  • Glycerides
  • Ethylene Glycols