ABSTRACT
Objective To set up a convenient and rapid quantitative method for curcumin and its carrier drugs by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry. Methods Alkali-soluble method was used to determine the content of curcumin in its drug carriers. A certain amount of drug carriers containing curcumin was dissolved in 10 g/L sodium hydroxide solution and measured at maximum adsorption wavelength of 470 nm. The encapsulation ratio of drug carriers was determined according to the result of measurement using a calibration curve as a reference. Results The concentration (x) and absorbance (y) had a good linear correlation in the range of 8.0-15.0 mg/L. The regression equation was as follows: y=0.139x+0.009,r2=0.999 (n=7). The deviation was less than 0.4 mg/L within an hour. Conclusion This method is simple, rapid and accurate, with no pollution to the environment, which can be used for the entrapment efficiency and quality standards of curcumin nanoparticles.