Preparation And Evaluation of Gastroretentive Floating In-Situ Gel of Curcumin Phytosome with Famotidine

Abstract

Gastroretentive drug delivery systems (GRDDS) have emerged as a new strategy to improve the bioavailability and effectiveness of drugs that have narrow absorption windows and poor stability in the gastrointestinal tract. This study focuses on creating a floating oral in-situ gel system that combines curcumin phytosome and famotidine to allow for longer gastric retention and controlled drug release. Curcumin, a bioactive polyphenol from Curcuma longa, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and gastroprotective properties. However, its use in clinical settings is limited because it has poor solubility and low bioavailability. Phytosome technology improves its absorption and ability to cross cell membranes. Famotidine, a histamine H2-receptor antagonist, is commonly used to treat peptic ulcer disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It requires sustained plasma levels to be effective. The in-situ gel system changes from a liquid to a gel in gastric fluid, creating a gel barrier that extends the time it stays in the stomach. The floating mechanism helps maintain buoyancy, preventing early gastric emptying. The combination of curcumin phytosome and famotidine should provide added gastroprotective and acid-suppressive effects. This formulation aims to improve patient compliance, reduce the frequency of doses, and enhance treatment outcomes for gastric acid-related disorders.