Formulation and evaluation of curcumin - loaded superporous hydrogels

The development of curcumin - loaded superporous hydrogels represents a systematic approach to enhancing curcumin’s therapeutic potential. Superporous hydrogels were successfully synthesized using chitosan, sodium alginate, and polyvinyl alcohol, crosslinked with glyoxal and calcium chloride. This process resulted in stable formulations with satisfactory micromeritic pr operties. The swelling behavior of the hydrogels was significantly influenced by polymer concentration and crosslinking density, with the formulation labeled CS4 exhibiting the highest swelling capacity. Physicochemical evaluations confirmed the formulatio ns' stability, high drug entrapment efficiency, and optimal drug content. Furthermore, drug release studies revealed that the formulations followed a non - Fickian diffusion mechanism, which was governed by the polymer composition and crosslinking characteri stics. Among all the formulations, CS4 demonstrated superior performance in terms of swelling capacity, drug entrapment efficiency, and controlled drug release. These findings suggest that curcumin - loaded superporous hydrogels have significant potential fo r enhancing curcumin’s bioavailability and improving its therapeutic effectiveness. This makes them a promising option for future pharmaceutical applications, particularly in drug delivery systems where controlled release and improved bioavailability are c ritical for therapeutic success. The development of such hydrogels offers a valuable strategy for improving the clinical application of curcumin, potentially broadening its therapeutic uses and enhancing patient outcomes.