ABSTRACT
Objective: To prepare curcumin nanocrystalline (Cur-NC) self-stabilized Pickering emulsion (Cur-NCSPE). Methods: Cur-NCSPE was prepared by high pressure homogenization. The influences of homogenization pressure on Cur-NC size and drug content on Cur-NCSPE formation were studied. The morphology and structure of emulsion droplets were observed by optical microscope and scanning electron microscope. Furthermore, the stability and in vitro release properties of Cur-NCSPE were evaluated. Results: The particle size of Cur-NC was slightly changed when homogeneous pressure was greater than 100 MPa. With the increase of Cur, the amount of Cur-NC on the surface of oil droplets increases, and the particle size decreases. When the amount of drug added can completely cover the surface of oil droplets, increasing the amount of drug had little effect on the particle size. Cur-NCSPE was more stable than Cur-NC and Cur, and the in vitro release rate of Cur-NCSPE was significantly higher than that of Cur-NC and Cur coarse power. Conclusion: The Cur-NCSPE is prepared successfully, which is expected to provide a novel oral administration technology platform for the poorly soluble drugs.