Abstract

Self-microemulsifying, reconstituted granules for oral administration of curcumin were prepared using a wet granulation technique. Mannitol and lactose were used as solid carriers, and SCMC, acacia and PVP K-30 as binders. Granule flow properties were evaluated by bulk and tapped densities, angle of repose, Carr’s index, and Hausner ratio and deemed to be passable to good. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that increased binder concentrations results in condensed granules with smoother surfaces. The optimal granule formulation exhibited complete solubility and presented as a spherical mi-croemulsion with a droplet size of 36.13 ± 0.08 nm. The antioxidant activity of the optimized formulation was equivalent to ascorbic acid and higher than that of butylated hydroxytoluene. Reconstituted granules containing self-microemulsifying curcumin could provide a potential approach to deliver poorly water soluble compounds for oral administration.