Poly(curcumin β-amino ester)-Based Tablet Formulation for a Sustained Release of Curcumin

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Oral drug delivery is preferred but limited by poor drug solubility and stability.
• Amorphous polymeric prodrugs, such as poly(β-amino ester) (PBAE), offer a solution by improving drug characteristics.
• PBAE hydrogels are biodegradable, pH-responsive, and enhance drug stability and solubility for controlled release.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate poly(curcumin β-amino ester) (PCBAE) prodrugs in oral tablet formulations.
• To investigate the sustained drug release potential of PCBAE tablets.
• To assess the storage stability of PCBAE-based oral formulations.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of poly(curcumin β-amino ester) (PCBAE) via a crosslinked amorphous network.
• Fabrication of PCBAE-based oral tablets.
• In vitro drug release studies over 16 hours.
• Preliminary storage stability assessment under standard and accelerated conditions.

Main Results:

• PCBAE tablets demonstrated sustained release of curcumin for 16 hours.
• Drug release was driven by the hydrolytic degradation of the PCBAE matrix.
• Preliminary stability data indicated that PCBAE tablet stability is sensitive to moisture.

Conclusions:

• PCBAE prodrugs show potential for oral tablet formulations, enabling sustained drug release.
• The hydrolytic degradation mechanism allows for controlled release of the model drug, curcumin.
• Moisture control is critical for ensuring the storage stability of these PCBAE-based tablets.