Nanonization of curcumin by antisolvent precipitation: process development, characterization, freeze drying and stability performance.

The present work aims to investigate applicability of antisolvent precipitation method for preparation of nanosized curcumin and to control their characteristics by determining the influence of process and solvents on solid-state properties of curcumin nanoparticles. Effects of different experimental parameters on particle size were investigated using dynamic light scattering. Particle morphology was studied using SEM. Drug content in stabilized nanoparticles was determined using HPLC. Residual moisture content after lyophilisation was determined using Karl Fischer method and solid state properties were investigated using DSC, TGA, FTIR and powder-XRD. The resulting product showed a high drug load and contained the drug in amorphous form. The particle diameters of prepared curcumin nanoparticles were found in the range of 100-200 nm. In vitro drug release studies indicated a sustained release profile of curcumin from the nanoparticles. Antisolvent precipitation produced amorphous curcumin nanoparticles whose size and morphology could be controlled using gelatine as stabilizer. Lyophilized curcumin nanoparticles with d-sorbitol as lyoprotectant possessed good redispersibility and showed up to 4 times faster in vitro curcumin release rate than that of unprocessed curcumin. Stability tests (at 2-8°C and ambient conditions) indicated that the product was stable for up to 6 months of storage.