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Abstract
Curcuminoid, a dietary polyphenolic compound, has poor water solubility and low bioavailability
following oral administration. The aim of this study was to develop a formulation
of curcuminoid-loaded microemulsion (Cur-ME) to improve its oral bioavailability.
The optimized Cur-ME formulation was prepared by using labrafac lipophile WL 1349,
cremophor RH 40, and glycerine as the oil phase, the surfactant, and the cosurfactant,
respectively. Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of curcuminoid suspension and Cur-ME
were evaluated and compared in rats. Plasma bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC), treated as
the representing component of curcuminoid, was determined by high-performance liquid
chromatography with fluorescence detector. After gavage administration of curcuminoid
suspension, the plasma BDMC level was very low, below 5 ng/mL, whereas for Cur-ME,
double peak of maximum concentrations were observed. The relative bioavailability
of Cur-ME was enhanced in an average of 9.6-fold that of curcuminoid suspension. It
was concluded that the bioavailbility of curcuminoid was enhanced greatly by the microemulsion.