The characteristics and in situ intestine absorption of curcumin complex and curcumin liposomes using phospholipid as vehicles / 中国药学杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To develop phospholipid vehicle to improve the bioavailability of curcumin after oral administration. METHODS: Two phospholipid vehicles, including phospholipid complex and liposome, were prepared. The characteristics, such as entrapment efficiency, shape, size, and structure, were compared. An in situ recirculation method was used to investigate the intestinal absorption of both phospholipid vehicles. RESULTS: Spherical or elliptical vesicles were observed under transmission electron microscope and atomic force microscope after the phospholipid vehicles were dispersed in water. The average entrapment efficiencies of phospholipid complex and liposome were (90.81 ± 1.32)% and (81.59 ± 2.41)% respectively. The mean sizes and zeta electric potentials were (91.69 ± 12.26) nm and (-13.73 ± 4.37) for the phospholipid complex, and (76.39 ± 8.58) nm and (-11.27 ± 1.26) for the liposomes. DSC, IR and Raman spectrum verified that there was reaction between curcumin and the phospholipid polar group around phosphorus atom in the complex but not in the liposomes. The apparent permeability coefficients (Papp) in the whole intestine were (1.1312 ± 0.0498) and (0.4780 ± 0.0120) 10 -6 cm-2 · s-1 for the complex and liposome respectively, which were 17.60 times and 5. 90 times higher than the crude drug. The absorption rate constants (Ka) and Papp of the complex were higher than the liposomes at duodenum, colon and ileum significantly. There was no difference at jejunum. CONCLUSION: Phospholipid complex can promote the absorption of curcumin in a larger degree than liposomes.