Curcumin- β-Cyclodextrin Molecular Inclusion Complex: A Water- Soluble Complex in Fast-dissolving Tablets for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders

Background: Orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) have become an excellent choice for delivering drugs as their palatability is greatly improved. In this work, β-cyclodextrin has been used to improve the solubility of curcumin by encapsulating it into the hydrophobic cavity for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Objectives: The current study aimed to present the design, formulation, and optimisation of fastdissolving oral tablets of curcumin- β-cyclodextrin molecular inclusion complex using a 3²-factorial design. Methods: The drug-excipient compatibility was studied by FTIR spectroscopy. The inclusion complex of curcumin-β-cyclodextrin was prepared using solvent casting and confirmed using XRD studies. Powder blends were evaluated for flow properties. Tablets prepared by direct compression were evaluated for post-compression parameters. Further, the effect of formulation variables, such as sodium starch glycolate (X1) and Neusilin^® ULF2 (X2), on various responses, including disintegration time and dissolution at 2 hours, was studied using statistical models. Results: Post-compression parameters, i.e., hardness (4.4-5 kg/cm²), thickness (3.82-3.93 mm), weight variation (±7.5%), friability (< 1%), wetting time (51-85 seconds) and drug content (96.28- 99.32%) were all found to be within the permissible limits and the disintegration time of tablets with super-disintegrants ranged between 45-58 seconds. The in-vitro dissolution profile of tablets showed that higher SSG and Neuslin^® ULF2 levels promoted drug release. For statistical analysis, the 2FI model was chosen. Optimised variables for formulation have been determined and validated with the experimental findings based on the significant desirability factor. Conclusion: The current study reveals the validated curcumin-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex fastdissolving tablets with SSG and Neusilin^® ULF2 to be an ideal choice for effectively treating neurodegenerative disorders.