Preparation and enhancement of oral bioavailability of curcumin using microemulsions vehicle.

A new microemulsions system of curcumin (CUR-MEs) was successfully developed to improve the solubility and bioavailability of curcumin. Several formulations of the microemulsions system were prepared and evaluated using different ratios of oils, surfactants, and co-surfactants (S&CoS). The optimal formulation, which consists of Capryol 90 (oil), Cremophor RH40 (surfactant), and Transcutol P aqueous solution (co-surfactant), could enhance the solubility of curcumin up to 32.5 mg/mL. The pharmacokinetic study of microemulsions was performed in rats compared to the corresponding suspension. The stability of microemulsions after dilution was excellence. Microemulsions have significantly increased the C(max) and area under the curve (AUC) in comparison to that in suspension (p < 0.05). The relative bioavailability of curcumin in microemulsions was 22.6-fold higher than that in suspension. The results indicated that the CUR-MEs could be used as an effective formulation for enhancing the oral bioavailability of curcumin.