ENHANCEMENT OF CURCUMIN AQUEOUS SOLUBILITY BY USING DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES.

Curcumin is a yellow colored, fat soluble, low molecular weight, natural polyphenolic compound. It is a spice which is derived from the rhizomes of turmeric plant (Curcuma longa). Curcumin shows a wide range of biological and pharmacological effects in drug delivery. Curcumin is the principle curcuminoid of the popular Zingiberaceae family, Indian spice turmeric. Curcumin can exist in at least two tautomeric forms, keto and enol. The enol form is more energetically stable in the solid phase and in solution. It has actively been used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, cancer, arthritis, ocular diseases, osteoporosis, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, skin disease, infection, chronic inflammation, chronic kidney disease etc. However, due to its weak solubility and bioavailability, it has limited potential as an oral medication. It has low water solubility, poor permeability, instability at alkaline Ph, fast metabolism contributes to curcumin limited oral bioavailability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]