Enhanced Oral Delivery of Turmeric Extract via Spray-Dried Microparticles: Biopharmaceutical Performance and In Vitro Microbiota Modulation

To overcome the bioavailability limitations of turmeric, this study developed a spray-dried turmeric extract microparticle (TEM) formulation for improved oral delivery. We investigated its transport, anti-cancer properties, anti-inflammatory effects, and impact on gut microbiota. The TEM formulation successfully improved curcuminoid dissolution by approximately 40-fold and 5-fold compared with unencapsulated extract and curcumin, respectively, and demonstrated effective transepithelial transport. Notably, the TEM formulation showed twofold superior inhibition of gastric cancer cell growth compared to curcumin and significantly suppressed nitric oxide production compared to unencapsulated extract. Furthermore, fecal fermentation studies confirmed that TEMs modulate gut microbiota, with acetate as the predominant metabolite. These findings suggest that TEMs represent a promising standardized approach for managing gastrointestinal diseases.