To compare three different curcumin-loaded solid dispersions, assess their solubility, and conduct antioxidant and biological safety assays.

Three different curcumin-loaded solid dispersions were prepared using the solvent, solvent melting, and melting methods, and characterized using a scanning electron microscope, differential scanning calorimeter, and X-ray diffractometer. Additionally, the drug content, equilibrium solubility, dissolution, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2ʹ-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate) scavenging ability, and biological safety were investigated.

X-ray diffractometer and differential scanning calorimetry analyses confirmed that curcumin existed in an amorphous state in the solid dispersion, while Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy suggested intermolecular interactions between curcumin and polyvinylpyrrolidone K29/32, and scanning electron microscope showed the disappearance of crystalline morphology and formation of a homogeneous matrix. The optimized solid dispersion significantly improved the aqueous solubility of curcumin. Rapid drug release was observed, with more than 70% of curcumin released within 20 min, whereas free curcumin exhibited very limited dissolution. The solubility of the solid dispersion was potential of hydrogen-dependent, with higher solubility under weakly acidic to near-neutral conditions and a marked decrease under alkaline conditions. In antioxidant assays, the solid dispersion exhibited stronger free radical scavenging activity than curcumin alone in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the solid dispersion showed reduced cytotoxicity, with improved cell viability compared with free curcumin at higher concentrations.

Solid dispersions supported by polyvinylpyrrolidone K29/32 showed significantly increased solubility of curcumin, and had higher antioxidant activity and biological safety than those of curcumin alone.

To observed the effect of a curcumin-based vaginal gel combined with electroporation for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) caused by Candida albicans.

Temperature-sensitive in situ gels (ISG) were prepared using poloxamers 407 and 188 as matrices. The mass ratio of poloxamer 407 and poloxamer 188 was 7:1 with a gelation temperature of approximately 29℃ and gelation time of 2.5 min.

Electroporation increased the transmucosal permeability of the model drug, doxorubicin and improved the antifungal effects of curcumin. In vitro antifungal experiments showed that the number of fungal colonies in curcumin ISG combined with electroporation was lower than that in pure curcumin ISG. In vivo pharmacodynamic experiments showed that, compared to the model group, curcumin ISG with electroporation inhibited the growth of C. albicans, alleviated vaginal mucosal edema, and reduced the inflammatory response.

Curcumin ISG combined with electroporation has substantial potential for the efficient clinical treatment of VVC.

To find a viable alternative to reduce the number of doses required for the patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and to improve efficacy and patient compliance.

In this study, we used ginger oil, a phytochemical with potential therapeutic properties, to prepare ginger oil patches. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantify the main active component of ginger oil, 6-gingerol. Transdermal absorption experiments were conducted to optimize the various pressure-sensitive adhesives and permeation enhancers, including their type and concentration. Subsequently, the ginger oil patches were optimized and subjected to content determination and property evaluations. A PTSD mouse model was established using the foot-shock method. The therapeutic effect of ginger oil patches on PTSD was assessed through pathological sections, behavioral tests, and the evaluation of biomarkers such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and melatonin (MT).

The results demonstrated that ginger oil patches exerted therapeutic effects against PTSD by inhibiting inflammatory responses and modulating MT and BDNF levels. Pharmacokinetic experiments revealed that ginger oil patches maintained a stable blood drug concentration for at least one day, addressing the rapid metabolism drawback of 6-gingerol and enhancing its therapeutic efficacy.

Ginger oil can be prepared as a transdermal drug patch that meets these requirements, and the bioavailability of the prepared patch is better than that of oral administration. It can improve PTSD with good patient compliance and ease of administration. Therefore, it is a promising therapeutic formulation for the treatment of PTSD.

To study the preventive effect of Timosaponin BII (T-BII) -loaded temperature/ion-sensitive nasal in situ hydrogels (ISGs) on Alzheimer's disease (AD), its preparation technology, characteristics and in vivo effects were evaluated.

The morphological and rheological properties were evaluated. The preventive effects of T-BII ISG on scopolamine-induced AD in mice were determined with the index of muscarinicreceptor 1 (M1) expression and pathological changes.

Results revealed that T-BII ISG significantly increased the content of M1 choline receptors in the hippocampus of mice and ameliorated the damage incurred to the hippocampal cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) area.

T-BII ISGs is a reasonable and convenient method of exerting an obvious preventive effect on mice with AD induced by scopolamine. This, thereby, lays forth a new treatment option for preventing AD.