Development of Curcumin-Loaded Alginate Beads for Targeted Gastric Mucosa Delivery in Helicobacter Pylori-Associated Gastritis

Gastritis caused by Helicobacter pylori infection remains a prevalent global health issue, requiring innovative therapeutic approaches. This study aimed to develop curcumin-loaded alginate beads as a targeted delivery system for gastric mucosa. Curcumin, a bioactive compound derived from Curcuma longa, has demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, particularly against H. pylori. Alginate beads were formulated using the ionotropic gelation method, optimizing bead composition for prolonged gastric residence time. A sample size of 120 alginate bead preparations was evaluated for physical characteristics, including mean diameter, drug loading (DL), and encapsulation efficiency (EE). Results demonstrated a mean diameter of 1.25 ± 0.05 mm, DL of 82.65%, and EE of 91.43%. The beads exhibited excellent floating characteristics, maintaining buoyancy for over 8 hours in simulated gastric fluid. In vitro release studies showed a sustained release profile, with 75% of curcumin released within 12 hours. These findings suggest that curcumin-loaded alginate beads can enhance therapeutic efficacy against H. pylori-associated gastritis by providing targeted and prolonged drug delivery at the site of infection.