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Improving the Dissolution Rate and Bioavailability of Curcumin via Co-Crystallization
Hao Wang1,2, Chenxuan Zheng2,3, Fanyu Tian1,2
1School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing 210023, China.
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 27, 2024
Summary
We developed a curcumin and L-carnitine co-crystal (CUR-L-CN) to enhance curcumin
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Science
- Materials Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Curcumin (CUR) is a natural polyphenol with diverse pharmacological effects.
- Poor water solubility and bioavailability hinder CUR's clinical use.
- L-carnitine (L-CN) is safe and used in liver protection and animal nutrition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To improve the bioavailability of curcumin.
- To prepare and characterize a novel curcumin-L-carnitine co-crystal (CUR-L-CN).
Main Methods:
- Co-crystal preparation using liquid-assisted grinding.
- Characterization of the co-crystal structure.
- Dissolution studies in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids.
- Pharmacokinetic analysis in rats.
Main Results:
- CUR-L-CN demonstrated significantly enhanced dissolution rates compared to pure CUR.
- Hirshfeld surface analysis and wettability tests confirmed increased water affinity.
- Pharmacokinetic studies revealed a 6.3-fold increase in AUC0-t and a 10.7-fold increase in Cmax for CUR-L-CN.
Conclusions:
- The novel CUR-L-CN co-crystal significantly improves curcumin's dissolution and bioavailability.
- This co-crystal formulation offers a promising approach for enhancing curcumin's therapeutic efficacy.
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