A REVIEW ON STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE CURCUMIN SOLUBILITY: CURRENT ADVANCES AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

Sanyam Vijan*, Priyanka, Mohammad Zaid Khan

Due to its wide range of pharmacological effects, curcumin, the primary physiologically active compound obtained from the rhizome of Curcuma longa (turmeric), has garnered a lot of attention, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anticancer characteristics. Despite its amazing therapeutic potential, Curcumin's limited absorption and poor water solubility limit its therapeutic application. Curcumin is quickly metabolically broken down in the liver and gastrointestinal system and has a comparatively low water solubility of about 0.6 μg/mL, resulting in minimal systemic availability following oral dosing. To address these constraints, Various methods of formulation have devised to boost curcumin solubility and improve its pharmacokinetic profile. These strategies include conventional techniques such as solid dispersion and use of bioenhancers, as advanced approaches including nanoparticle-based DDS, nanosuspensions, cyclodextrin inclusion complexes, and crystal engineering methods such as polymorphism and cocrystal formation. Nanotechnology-based formulations have shown special promise due to their capacity to increase medication solubility, stability, and targeted distribution. This study covers the physicochemical problems associated with curcumin, analyzes current tactics utilized to increase its accessibility and dispersion, as well as the possibility for future successful curcumin formulation development.