Ginsenoside improves physicochemical properties and bioavailability of curcumin-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier

The aim of this study was to develop a ginsenoside-modified nanostructured lipid carrier (G-NLC) dispersion containing curcumin. The NLC was prepared by melt emulsification with slight modification process. Different G-NLC dispersion systems were prepared using lipid carrier matrix composed of ginsenoside, phosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylcholine, and hydrogenated bean oil. TEM image of the nanoparticles in the NLC dispersion showed core/shell structure, and there was corona-like layer surrounding the particles in the G-NLC. The mean particle size of G-NLC dispersion was in the range of about 300–500 nm and stayed submicron size up to 12 months. The in vitro release of curcumin was faster in pH 1.2 compared to pH 6.8 and it showed linear release pattern after lag time of 1 h. When the G-NLC dispersion was orally administered to rats, C_max of the free curcumin was 15.2 and 32.3 ng/mL at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively, while it was below quantification limit when curcumin was administered as of dispersion in distilled water. Based on these results, it is certain that ginsenoside modulated the NLC dispersion, leading to enduring shelf-life of the dispersion system and enhanced bioavailability. These results strongly suggest that ginsenoside holds a promising potential as a pharmaceutical excipient in the pharmaceutical industries to increase the utility of various bioactives.