Publication: Eutectic Mixture Approach for Enhancing Solubility, Permeability, and Bioactivity of Curcumin: Influence of Ferulic Acid and Nicotinamide as Coformers
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Issued Date
2026-02-17
Resource Type
eISSN
24701343
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105030701201
Journal Title
ACS Omega
Volume
11
Issue
6
Start Page
10376
End Page
10389
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
ACS Omega Vol.11 No.6 (2026) , 10376-10389
Suggested Citation
Maicheen C., Theeramunkong S., Tadtong S., Saenjum C., Thongkorn K., Phongpradist R., Sirilun S., Jiaranaikulwanitch J. Eutectic Mixture Approach for Enhancing Solubility, Permeability, and Bioactivity of Curcumin: Influence of Ferulic Acid and Nicotinamide as Coformers. ACS Omega Vol.11 No.6 (2026) , 10376-10389. 10389. doi:10.1021/acsomega.5c11528 Retrieved from: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14740/55380
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Curcumin, the active constituents of turmeric, possess a wide range of therapeutic properties but are limited by poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability. This study aimed to enhance the solubility and biological activities of curcumin by forming eutectic mixtures with ferulic acid and nicotinamide as coformers. The eutectic mixtures were prepared in a 1:1 molar ratio using liquid-assisted grinding and solvent evaporation methods and characterized using FTIR, DSC, and PXRD. Their physicochemical properties (solubility, stability, and permeability) and biological activities (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antiosteoporotic, and anticancer effects) were subsequently evaluated. The mixtures, curcumin-ferulic acid (Cur-Fer) and curcumin-nicotinamide (Cur-NCM), exhibited eutectic characteristics and demonstrated significantly improved solubility and permeability. Among the tested compounds, Cur-Fer exhibited the highest enhancement, with 2.0- and 1.6-fold increases in solubility and permeability, respectively, compared to curcumin. Both Cur-Fer and Cur-NCM exhibited enhanced anticancer activity (selectivity indexes of 2.43 and 2.34, respectively, at 100 μM), improved neuroprotective effects against MPP<sup>+</sup> and amyloid β–induced toxicity at 1 pM, and stronger antioxidant properties (IC<inf>50</inf> values of 22.30 ± 0.55 μM and 29.98 ± 0.29 μM, respectively). Additionally, Cur-NCM at 1 μM significantly increased alkaline phosphatase production in human osteosarcoma (MG-63) cells compared to curcumin. However, the anti-inflammatory properties of the eutectic mixtures were comparable to those of curcumin alone. In conclusion, forming eutectic mixtures with ferulic acid and nicotinamide significantly enhances the solubility, permeability, and biological activity of curcumin.