ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To optimize the film-ultrasonic technique for preparing nicotinate-curcumin nanoparticles. METHODS: An HPLC method was established for determination of nicotinate-curcumin. Using the entrapment efficiency of nicotinate-curcumin as the evaluation indicator, the optimum excipient formula was selected through the Box-Bebnken reponse surface design of three factors (amounts of nicotinate-curcumin and lecithin and concentration of tween-80) at three levels. RESULTS: With the established optimal formula, ie 80 mg stearic acid, 150 mg lecithin and 20 mL tween-80 (0.6%), the entrapment efficiency of nicotinate-curcumin approached 65%. The mean particle size was 190 nm. CONCLUSION: The nicotinate-curcumin nanoparticles prepared by the film ultrasonic technique optimized by central composite design test have high entrapment efficiency, indicating that the technique is feasible.