CURCUMIN ETHOSOMES FOR ENHANCED TRANSDERMAL DRUG DELIVERY: FORMULATION, CHARACTERIZATION, IN VIVO AND EX VIVO STUDIES

Objectives: The current study aimed to prepare and optimize curcumin (CM) ethosomal gel for enhanced transdermal drug delivery to overcome the poor permeability barrier. Methods: The cold method was employed to manufacture the CM-loaded ethosomes with varying quantities of soya phosphatidylcholine, propylene glycol (PG), and ethanol. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to evaluate the appearance of the formed ethosomes. Formulation parameters such as vesicle size and zeta potential, polydispersity index (PI), transition temperature, entrapment efficiency (EE), in vitro drug release, release kinetics, ex vivo studies on rat skin, in vivo pharmacokinetics, and stability were performed. Results: The microscopy results showed that CM ethosomes have a smooth surface. The release of CM adhered to the zero-order release model. The optimized ethosomal gel formulation’s (CM5) zeta potential and PI were determined to be −7.28±1.62 mV and 0.208, respectively, and it has 90.8±1.8% EE with a vesicle size of 437±2 nm. The maximum flux for the ethosome formulation (CM5) was 23.13±0.91 μg.h/cm2. The bioavailability of the optimized formulation was 7.61 times higher than that of the control (oral suspension). The stability study revealed no significant change when stored at 4°C. Conclusion: Based on current research, ethosomal vesicles may enhance transdermal dispersion without irritating the skin. Ethosomes infused with CM show significant potential for transdermal administration for the management of skin diseases.