FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF GASTRO RETENTIVE NOVEL FLOATING IN-SITU GELLING SYSTEM OF CURCUMIN

The objective of the present study was to formulate and evaluate a gastro-retentive stomach specific novel floating in-situ gelling system of curcumin for potentially treating gastric ulcer, associated with Helicobacter pylori. The in-situ gel of curcumin was prepared by dissolving different concentrations of gelling polymer like sodium alginate in distilled water at 60 ºC. After cooling to 40 ºC, required quantities of sodium citrate and calcium carbonate were dispersed in it with continuous stirring followed by the addition of curcumin and sorbitol. Identification of drug was confirmed by DSC (melting point study), FTIR (functional groups study), and UV spectrophotometric analysis. Compatibility between drug and polymer were confirmed by DSC and FTIR studies. The micromeritic properties of curcumin were done, and all formulations showed pH in the range of 6.6 to 7.4, floating lag time was less than 1 min, duration of floating was more than 24 h for all the prepared formulations. Gelling capacity, gel strength, viscosity, and water uptake by the gel increased with the increase in sodium alginate concentration; the drug content was found to be in the range of 92.5 to 99.1%. Drug release was found to decrease with the increase in polymer concentration of gel. The release kinetics of all the formulations followed zero order mechanism.