Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to develop liposomal mucoadhesive drug delivery system for the delivery of curcumin via nasal route, to avoid hepatic first pass metabolism, to increase residence time and to investigate its nose to brain delivery potential.

Methodology: The liposomes were prepared by solvent dispersion method using soya lecithin and cholesterol as a lipid phase and xanthan gum as a mucoadhesive polymer. The liposomes were evaluated for particle size, entrapment efficiency, mucoadhesion, DSC, ex vivo permeation, histopathological study, in vitro drug release, and in vivo study for the estimation of drug in brain after intranasal administration.

Results and Discussion: The particle size was in the range of 100.2-150 nm with good stability and controlled release characteristics without any deleterious effect on nasal mucosa of rat. When administered via intranasal route the liposomes showed higher drug distribution in brain (1240 ng) compared to drug solution (65 ng).

Conclusion: The results of the in vivo study suggests that the xanthan gum coated curcumin liposomes is a promising drug delivery system to deliver drug to the brain through nasal route.

Keywords: Curcumin, liposomes, mucoadhesion, nose to brain delivery, solvent dispersion method, xanthan gum.