surfactants were also screened for emulsification ability of the selected oil phase
(Capmul PG-8NF or 1:1 Captex 200P &. Capmul PG-8NF) by turbidemetric ...
Curcumin Nanoemulsion for Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells-Targeted Treatment Part I: Preformulation Studies Y. Feng, J. Shao St. John's University Purpose To select and screen the components for the development of curcumin nanoemulsion with good solubility and emulsification capacity since curcumin is a potent chemo-preventive agent for targeting pancreatic cancer stem cells Methods Different oily phases, surfactants, and cosurfactants were firstly selected based on the curcumin solubility. Then the surfactants were also screened for emulsification ability of the selected oil phase (Capmul PG-8NF or 1:1 Captex 200P & Capmul PG-8NF) by turbidemetric method. Similarly, the relative efficacy of the selected cosurfactants to improve the emulsification of the selected surfactants (Kolliphor EL) was also screened. Two systems were finalized from these studies. System A was consisted of Capmul PG-8NF, Killophor EL, and PEG 400.System B was consisted of 1:1 (w/w) Capmul PG8NF & Captex 200P, Kolliphor EL, and PEG 400. Nanoemulsion formation region was identified in the pseudo- ternary phase diagram by water titration method with mass ratio of surfactant and cosurfactant (Smix) from 3:1 to 1:2. Results Among all the components screened, Capmul PG-8 NF and Capmul PG-8NF & Captex 200 P (1:1 w/w) had the highest solubility of curcumin (6.29± 0.11 mg/ml and 6.57 ± 0.01 mg/ml, respectively) and therefore selected as the oil phase. Surfactants with the required HLB value were selected based on % transmittance of various dispersions. Kolliphor EL had a better emulsification ability for the selected oil phases with a transmittance of 99.23% for Capmul PG- 8NF, and 95.48% for Capmul PG-8NF & Captex 200P (1:1, w/w). It was selected as surfactant though Labrasol had the highest curcumin solubility. Similarly, even though PEG 400, isopropanol, and propylene glycol all had good emulsification improvement capability, PEG 400 was selected as cosurfactant due to its high curcumin solubility (146.15±1.31 mg/ml). Phase Diagram showed that system B had wider nanoemulsion formation region in each Smix value Conclusion Capmul PG-8NF and Captex 200P (1:1, w/w), Kolliphor EL, and PEG 400 were selected as oil phase, surfactant, and cosurfactant respectively for further formulation development and characterization of curcumin nanoemulsion
