Abstract

This study aimed to develop curcumin (CMN)-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (C-NPs) as a potential drug delivery system. Unique to this research was the use of a top-down method that allows for precise control over nanoparticle size, which is critical for enhancing stability, efficacy, bioavailability, and controlled drug delivery. The study employed advanced characterization techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), to confirm the successful formation of C-NPs, along with an evaluation of drug loading capacity (LC) and percentage drug entrapment (PDE). Typically, in vitro drug release studies were conducted to evaluate the sustained release behavior of C-NPs. The results demonstrated the successful formation of C-NPs with desirable characteristics, with a high LC (86.81% ± 5.44%) and PDE (68.12% ± 4.24%), indicating efficient encapsulation of CMN, which was significantly higher compared to many existing formulations. The sustained release mechanism not only improves bioavailability and efficacy but also facilitates targeted and combination therapies, achieving a release rate of 88.24% ± 6.89% over 24 hours. Moreover, a short-term stability study conducted has proved that the prepared C-NPs might be stable up to 15 days, highlighting their practical applicability. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the innovative development and characterization of C-NPs as a promising carrier for CMN delivery, offering significant advancements in drug delivery systems that could lead to improved therapeutic strategies.

Key words: Keywords: Drug delivery, Chitosan, Polymeric nanoparticles, top-down method, In vitro study