Cellulose- and Saccharide-Based Orally Dispersible Thin Films Transform the Solid States and Dissolution Characteristics of Poorly Soluble Curcumin

Tis study aimed at developing and optimizing the orally dispersible thin flm (ODTF) containing a plant-derived drug—curcumin (CUR). CUR belongs to a biopharmaceutical classifcation system (BCS) class IV compound that requires improving its water solubility and tissue permeability preceding formulation. An ODTF was applied to produce a solid dispersion matrix for CUR to resolve such solubility and permeability problems. Te flm-forming polymers used in the study were cellulose-based (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose/HPMC and carboxymethylcellulose/CMC) and saccharide-based maltodextrin (MDX). Poloxamer (POL) was also employed as surfactant and solubilizer. Te solvent casting technique was applied to produce the flms. Te ethanolic solution of CUR was mixed with an aqueous solution of POLs and then incorporated into diferent flm-forming polymers prior to casting. Te processing of the CUR with POL solution was intended to aid in the even dispersion of the drug in the polymeric matrices and enhance the wettability of the flms. Te physical state and properties of the flms were characterized in terms of their morphology, crystallinity of the drug, and phase miscibility of the mixtures. Te dissolution profle of the flms was also evaluated in terms of dissolution rate and dissolution efciency. Te obtained ODTF products were smooth and fat-surfaced. Physical characterization also indicated that the CUR was homogeneously dispersed in the ODTFs and no longer existed as crystalline material as revealed by X-ray difraction (XRD). Te CUR was also not phase-separated from the flms as disclosed by diferential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Such dispersion was achieved through the solubilizing efect of POLs and compact polymeric flm matrices that prevented the CUR from recrystallization. Furthermore, the ODTFs also improved the dissolution of CUR by 3.2-fold higher than the raw CUR. Overall, cellulose-based flms had favorable physical properties compared with saccharide-based flms.