Development of curcumin-loaded lipid nanocapsules for drug delivery across mucus

This study aimed to develop and characterize lipid nanocapsules (LNCs) for mucosal delivery. Curcumin loaded-LNCs (CCM-LNCs) were prepared by phase inversion temperature (PIT) method. Particle characteristics, morphology, entrapment efficiency (EE) and loading capacity were determined. Mucopenetration studies were conducted by Transwell (R) (R) plate and tube methods. CCM solution served as control.Particle size and zeta-potential of the CCM-loaded LNCs were 67.47 f 0.15 nm and-32.86 f 2.51 mV. EE and loading capacity of CCM-LNCs was found to be 98.38 f 0.45 % and 42.24 f 2.24 %, respectively. No significant change on stability of CCM-LNCs was found after 30 days storage. CCM-LNCs could penetrate mucus 3 times deeper than CCM solution. Moreover, the delivered amount of CCM across mucus layer was 6 folds higher compared with CCM solution. LNCs with negative charge could be used as a promising particulate delivery system for delivering BCS class IV drug such as CCM across mucus.