Abstract

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF CURCUMIN-LOADED MICROSPHERE FOR TARGETED THERAPY OF COLON CANCER

Sayali H. Dherange, Anil B. Panchal*, Sampat D. Navale

Abstract

Curcumin, the bioactive compound found in turmeric, a natural polyphenol, has shown promise in colon cancer treatment due to its anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory properties. To overcome these challenges, curcumin microspheres have been developed as an innovative drug delivery system aimed at enhancing its therapeutic potential. The microspheres, formulated using polymers such as ethyl cellulose , provide a controlled and sustained release of curcumin, ensuring prolonged therapeutic effects. An ―emulsion solvent evaporation‖ technique was used in the preparation of microspheres. The optimized formulation was chosen based on the preparation of microspheres with a 1:2 drug-to-polymer ratio, a stirring speed of 1000 rpm, and a 1%w/v concentration of emulsifying agent. The microspheres were evaluated for particle size, surface morphology, encapsulation efficiency, and drug loading capacity. In vitro release studies demonstrated a gradual release of curcumin over time, and stability studies confirmed the protection of curcumin from degradation. These findings highlight that curcumin-loaded microspheres are a promising approach to improving curcumin’s bioavailability and therapeutic effectiveness, especially for conditions requiring long-term treatment or sustained drug delivery.

Keywords: Curcumin, Microspheres, Colon cancer, Ethyl Cellulose, Polyvinyl Alcohol.