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Development and Evaluation of Curcumin-Loaded Mucoadhesive Buccal Films Using Green Deep Eutectic Solvents via Design
Melike Zeynep Ünükür Sevim1,2, Muhammet Davut Arpa2, Kübra Kolci3,4
1Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul 34668, Türkiye.
Pharmaceutics
|February 27, 2026
Summary
Green deep eutectic solvents (DES) enhance curcumin solubility for novel buccal films. Design of Experiments optimized formulations for sustained release and anti-inflammatory effects, showing promise for localized drug delivery.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Materials Science
Background:
- Curcumin exhibits poor solubility, limiting its therapeutic applications.
- Developing effective localized drug delivery systems is crucial for mucosal conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To formulate curcumin-loaded buccal films using a green deep eutectic solvent (DES).
- To optimize film formulation using Design of Experiments (DoE) for enhanced solubility and localized delivery.
- To evaluate the in vitro and ex vivo performance and biological activities of the developed films.
Main Methods:
- Preparation and characterization of various DESs to select the optimal solvent system.
- Solvent casting method used for fabricating curcumin-loaded buccal films.
- Central composite design (DoE) applied to optimize film components (HPMC K100, Kollicoat® IR, DES) and evaluate critical responses (mucoadhesion, swelling, etc.).
- In vitro release, ex vivo permeation, and biological activity assays (anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, wound healing) performed on optimized formulations.
Main Results:
- Choline chloride: propylene glycol (1:4 molar ratio) identified as optimal DES, significantly increasing curcumin solubility.
- Successful fabrication of curcumin-loaded buccal films with sustained release over 24 hours.
- Optimized formulations demonstrated good mucoadhesion, swelling properties, and cell compatibility.
- Ex vivo studies showed minimal mucosal permeation (<2%), indicating localized action.
- Significant in vitro anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-healing bioactivities observed.
Conclusions:
- Green DES-assisted formulation strategy, guided by DoE, successfully developed curcumin-loaded buccal films.
- The developed films exhibit favorable physicochemical properties and promising in vitro biological activities.
- This formulation platform offers a viable approach for localized buccal drug delivery applications.
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