DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CURCUMIN-LOADED NANO TABLET IN ENDOMETRIOSIS TREATMENT

G. Mariappan, UMMANGALBALAN ABHINI
In: International Journal of Applied Pharmaceutics · 2025 · pp. 181–189 · doi:10.22159/ijap.2025v17i1.52533 · W4406213523
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-12 ⓘ

This study developed and characterized curcumin-loaded nanosponges formulated into a nano-tablet for vaginal delivery, demonstrating significant alleviation of endometriosis-related pathology in mice.

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⚙ AI-generated deep summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-12 · read from full text ⓘ

The paper studied the design, development, and characterization of a curcumin-loaded nanosponges “nano-tablet” intended for vaginal delivery in a mouse model of peritoneal endometriosis, using box-behnken design to optimize CU-β-cyclodextrin nanosponges cross-linked with carbonyldiimidazole and produced by lyophilization. The optimized formulations had mean particle sizes of about 76.78–154.56 nm and encapsulation effectiveness of 76.62–86.68%, with transmission electron microscopy indicating polymer encapsulation of curcumin and in vitro release of about 95–97% by 12 hours; the authors also assessed antioxidant activity, bio-adhesion excipients, photostability, and simulated intestinal fluid behavior. In endometriosis mice, histopathology showed leukocyte infiltration and fibrosis with increased stromal vessel density and intact epithelium in controls, while treatment with a curcumin nanogel formulation (described as “CU nanogel”) and curcumin-loaded nanosponges-pill corrected endometrial pathology. The study’s main limitation is that efficacy testing was performed in mice rather than in human populations, and the paper focuses on formulation performance and histology endpoints rather than long-term outcomes. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — it tests curcumin-loaded cyclodextrin nanosponges for vaginal delivery and anti-endometriosis activity in a peritoneal endometriosis mouse model.

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Abstract

Objective: The goal was to simplify the manufacture of curcumin-loaded-nanosponges (CUNS) and test their vaginal delivery of CU for endometriosis in mice. Methods: The independent parameters of CU-β-Cyclodextrin (CU-β-CD) NS generation were improved using box-behnken design (BBD). BBD with three factors and three levels was used for the studies. The study used carbonyldiimidazole as a cross-linking agent and lyophilization to create CU-β-CDNS. The anti-endometriosis activity of nano-tablet was tested in mice with peritoneal endometriosis. Results: The mean particle size was 76.78–154.56 nm, and the encapsulation effectiveness was 76.62–86.68%. Transmission Electron Microscopy showed that the polymer encapsulated CU. In vitro antioxidant activity showed that CU and CUNS had SC50 values of 5243.52±389.92 and 187.36±16.78 μg/ml, respectively. Bio-adhesion studies showed hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and xanthan gum performed better. The F1 and F2 formulations had better in vitro drug release at 12 h, with values of 97.12±2.38 and 95.34±3.24%, respectively. Photostability and simulated intestinal fluid testing were good. Endometriosis mice had leukocyte infiltration and fibrosis, while control mice had increased stromal vessel density and intact epithelium. However, CU nanogel greatly alleviated these issues. Histopathology demonstrated CUNS-pill corrected endometrial pathology. Conclusion: The study advised CUNS-pill for endometriosis treatment.
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Objective

The goal was to simplify the manufacture of curcumin-loaded-nanosponges (CUNS) and test their vaginal delivery of CU for endometriosis in mice.

Methods

The independent parameters of CU-β-Cyclodextrin (CU-β-CD) NS generation were improved using box-behnken design (BBD). BBD with three factors and three levels was used for the studies. The study used carbonyldiimidazole as a cross-linking agent and lyophilization to create CU-β-CDNS. The anti-endometriosis activity of nano-tablet was tested in mice with peritoneal endometriosis.

Results

The mean particle size was 76.78–154.56 nm, and the encapsulation effectiveness was 76.62–86.68%. Transmission Electron Microscopy showed that the polymer encapsulated CU. In vitro antioxidant activity showed that CU and CUNS had SC50 values of 5243.52±389.92 and 187.36±16.78 μg/ml, respectively. Bio-adhesion studies showed hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and xanthan gum performed better. The F1 and F2 formulations had better in vitro drug release at 12 h, with values of 97.12±2.38 and 95.34±3.24%, respectively. Photostability and simulated intestinal fluid testing were good. Endometriosis mice had leukocyte infiltration and fibrosis, while control mice had increased stromal vessel density and intact epithelium. However, CU nanogel greatly alleviated these issues. Histopathology demonstrated CUNS-pill corrected endometrial pathology.

Conclusion

The study advised CUNS-pill for endometriosis treatment.

References

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