Evaluation of mesoporous silica particles as drug carriers in hydrogels.

Mesoporous silica particles have recently been used in the preparation of solid oral as well as dermal pharmaceutical formulations. In this work, the use of mesoporous silica of different particle size, pore size and pore volume as carrier for curcumin in hydrogels for dermal use was investigated. Oil absorption capacity of the silica, in vitro release of curcumin from formulations and chemical stability of curcumin during three months storage were evaluated. It was found that the silica particles did not alter in vitro release of curcumin compared to an emulsion. Furthermore, curcumin was found to exhibit similar or inferior stability in hydrogels containing mesoporous silica opposed to emulsions.