Curcumin-Loaded Micelles Dispersed in Ureasil-Polyether Materials for a Novel Sustained-Release Formulation

Abstract

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a vulvar/vaginal infection that affects approximately 75% of women worldwide. The current treatment consists of antimicrobials with hepatotoxic properties and high drug interaction probabilities. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a new treatment to VVC based on micelles containing curcumin (CUR) dispersed in a ureasil-polyether (U-PEO) hybrid. The physical-chemical characterization was carried out in order to observe size, shape, crystallinity degree and particle dispersion in the formulation and was performed by dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and through in vitro release study. The results of DLS and SEM exhibited micelles with 35 nm, and encapsulation efficiency (EE) results demonstrated 100% of EE to CUR dispersed in the U-PEO, which was confirmed by the DRX. The release results showed that CUR loaded in U-PEO is 70% released after 10 days, which demonstrates the potential application of this material in different pharmaceutical forms (ovules and rings), and the possibility of multidose based on a single application, suggesting a higher rate of adherence.

The Efficacy of Hybrid Vaginal Ovules for Co-Delivery of Curcumin and Miconazole against Candida albicans

“…Obtaining vaginal ovules by hydrolysis and condensation reactions of poly(ethylene oxide) is an effective approach for loading high quantities of drugs, including thermosensitive drugs, since there is no need to heat the base to melt it, as is required by the conventional method [ 29 ]. The U-PEO base can also incorporate lipophilic or hydrophilic compounds without precipitation, as was observed with the incorporation of CUR and micelles containing 3% CUR, and the final material was limpid and homogeneous [ 22 ]. In the present study, the matrix proved capable of loading 2.7% of both CUR and MCZ without showing any signs of sedimentation of the drugs.…”

“…The release of CUR was analyzed by immersing the ovules in 900 mL of acetate buffer pH 4.2 plus 15% Tween 80 and 5% absolute ethanol to maintain the sink condition, shaking at 50 rpm at 37 °C ± 2 °C as previously validated by Nicolau Costa et al [ 22 ]. At predetermined times (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 144 h), 3 mL aliquots of the medium were collected, filtered through a 0.45 µm pore membrane, and analyzed using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer Shimadzu UV-1900 (Shimadzu, São Paulo, Brazil) at 426 nm.…”

Enhancement of Release and Solubility of Curcumin from Electrospun PEO–EC–PVP Tripolymer-Based Nanofibers: A Study on the Effect of Hydrogenated Castor Oil

“…Specially during the topical application of curcumin, an excipient that improves its release as well as solubility will be essential to allow its absorption and subsequent permeable delivery. Therefore, the use of additives like beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and amino acids, application of a mechanical force (e.g., rubbing), or the use of a releasing medium that contains solubilization enhancers like polysorbate (Tween 80) , has always been the choice for this purpose.…”