Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-nanocrystalline cellulose (CTAB-NCC) based microemulsions for enhancement of topical delivery of curcumin

Low bioavailability and poor water solubility have limited the utilization of curcumin in conventional dosing methods. As an alternative, microemulsions as drug carrier can improve curcumin delivery. A cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-nanocrystalline cellulose (CTAB-NCC)-based micmemulsion was developed and its potential use as a topical delivery method for curcumin was investigated. The effect of microemulsion's particle size and its microstructure as well as the presence of the CTAB-NCC nanoparticle on the topical delivery of curcumin was studied. In vitro permeation studies showed higher penetration rate of curcumin from the oil-in-water type-micmemulsions. The skin permeation profile of curcumin followed Higuchi release kinetics. Furthermore, use of the (CTAB-NCC)-based microemulsion enhanced curcumin accumulation in the skin and these system showed non cytotoxicity effect on L929 cell line. These results showed the potential of (CTAB-NCC)-based microemulsions as controlled-release topical systems for the delivery of curcumin and potentially other lipophilic drugs.

Automated summary

The study demonstrates that CTAB-NCC-based microemulsions can be used as a controlled-release topical system for delivering curcumin, leading to enhanced penetration rate and accumulation in the skin without cytotoxic effects on cells.