QbD-Assisted Development of Enteric Curcumin-Loaded Lipid-Polymer Hybrid Nanoparticles for Enhanced Intestinal Permeation

Sachin R. Patil, Shweta O. Hodage, Anjana U. Patil, Kshiti S. Patil, Ajinkya B. Chavan, Prathamesh Desai, Rukkaya B. Desai, Sonali A. Kurade

Abstract


Purpose: Curcumin has low aqueous solubility, limited intestinal permeability and extensive presystemic metabolism. This study draft describes a quality-by-design (QbD) strategy for developing enteric lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPHNPs) intended to protect curcumin in gastric conditions and improve intestinal release and permeation. Methods: Curcumin and Eudragit L100-55 formed the pH-responsive polymeric phase, while lecithin and DSPE-PEG 2000 provided the lipid interfacial layer. A nine-run formulation design examined polymer and lecithin levels. Particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, drug loading, gastric resistance, intestinal release, FTIR, DSC, XRD and ex-vivo intestinal permeation were evaluated. Results:  optimization data identified F5 as the preferred formulation, with particle size 168 ± 4 nm, PDI 0.192 ± 0.014, zeta potential -24.6 ± 1.2 mV, entrapment efficiency 91.3 ± 1.1% and drug loading 8.7 ± 0.3%.  sequential dissolution indicated 6.8 ± 0.7% release after 2 h at pH 1.2 and 88.7 ± 1.6% cumulative release at 8 h after transfer to pH 6.8.  ex-vivo permeation at 6 h was 72.8 ± 2.4% for F5 versus 28.7 ± 1.6% for free curcumin. Solid-state profiles were consistent with reduced crystallinity without appearance of new incompatibility signals. Conclusion: The proposed enteric LPHNP platform is experimentally testable and may enhance intestinal exposure to curcumin; however, the numerical findings presented here require laboratory confirmation.


Keywords


curcumin lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles Eudragit L100-55 intestinal permeation quality by design

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Source of support: Nil.

Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Received on:11/08/2026 Accepted on:28/08/2026

Cite this article as: Sachin R. Patil, Shweta O. Hodage, Rukkaya B. Desai, Sonali A. Kurade, Anjana U. Patil, Kshiti S. Patil1, Ajinky B. Chavan, Prathamesh Desai (2026). QbD-Assisted Development of Enteric Curcumin-Loaded Lipid-Polymer Hybrid Nanoparticles for Enhanced Intestinal Permeation. Annals of Plant Sciences, 14(8), pp. 1-11, DOI 10.5281/zenodo.22304291.




DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22304291

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