Preparation and evaluation of the curcumin niosomes: In vitro and in vivo

The curcumin niosomes were prepared and evaluated. The film dispersion method was applied, the formulation was optimized by single factor experiment and central composite design. The optimum formulation was as follows: the ratio of Span80 to cholesterol was 4.2:1, the ratio of cholesterol to curcumin was 5:1, PBS volume was 20.9 mL, hydration speed was 381 r/min, hydration time was 1.5 h, temperature was 50^oC. The encapsulation efficiency of curcumin niosomes was 88.5%, average particle size was 162 nm, the Zeta potential was (-28.9±2.7) mV and the shape was regular. In intro, the niosomes exhibited good delayed release characteristics, and the drug release was in accordance with Ritger-peppas model. In vivo, the mean retention time (MRT_(0-t)) of curcumin niosomes (6.604±0.209 h) was significantly extended than that of the curcumin suspensions (2.498±0.016 h); the AUC_(0-t) of niosomes (2074.989±146.690 ng·mL^-1·h) was significantly larger than that of the suspensions (803.475±23.335 ng·mL^-1·h), the relative bioavailability was 258.25%. The study showed a great potential of curcumin niosomes as a good formulation with improved oral absorption.