Curcumin-loaded gelatin ethosomal gel: A novel approach for anti-inflammatory efficacy

Varsha Rawat , Smriti Dewangan , Khomendra Kumar Sarwa , Moonmun Dhara , Shakti Ketan Prusty

Pharmaceutical Science Advances ›› 2025, Vol. 3 ›› Issue (1) : 100098

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Pharmaceutical Science Advances ›› 2025, Vol. 3 ›› Issue (1) : 100098 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscia.2025.100098
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Curcumin-loaded gelatin ethosomal gel: A novel approach for anti-inflammatory efficacy

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Abstract

The research focuses on enhancing the delivery of curcumin's potent anti-inflammatory properties through a novel approach using a curcumin-loaded gelatine ethosomal gel. Curcumin, known for its therapeutic potential, faces challenges due to poor solubility and bioavailability. The method involved dissolving curcumin, phospholipids, and gelatin to form ethosomes within the gelatin matrix using sonication. Various parameters were evaluated including vesicle size, morphology, entrapment efficiency, drug permeation, stability, and antiinflammatory activity. The optimized curcumin gelatine ethosomes effectively encapsulated the drug, achieving an entrapment efficiency of 89.52%±0.1% and substantial drug loading capacity ranging from 75.75%±0.3% to 85.64%±0.1%. The formulation exhibited stability with a small vesicle size of 122.08 nm, a zeta potential of -36.2 mV indicating good stability, and spherical ethosome morphology. TEM images confirmed uniform drug distribution within the ethosome without precipitation or unwanted aggregates. The gel exhibited suitable characteristics for topical application such as clear texture, neutral odor, appropriate pH (5.1-5.6), and viscosity (26,000-58,000 Pa s). It also showed excellent spreadability, homogeneity, minimal irritancy, and pseudo plastic behaviour with sustained drug release (up to 94%) over 24 h. Stability testing and acute toxicity studies confirmed the safety and efficacy of the gel, while anti-inflammatory activity was demonstrated through carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model. The findings suggest that this curcuminloaded gelatine ethosomal gel holds promise in revolutionizing inflammation therapy by improving efficacy, patient compliance, stability, controlled release, and bioavailability, thereby paving the way for innovative approaches in inflammation management.

Keywords

Curcumin / Gelatin / Ethosomes / Topical application / Anti-inflammation

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Varsha Rawat, Smriti Dewangan, Khomendra Kumar Sarwa, Moonmun Dhara, Shakti Ketan Prusty. Curcumin-loaded gelatin ethosomal gel: A novel approach for anti-inflammatory efficacy. Pharmaceutical Science Advances, 2025, 3(1): 100098 DOI:10.1016/j.pscia.2025.100098

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CRediT authorship contribution statement

Varsha Rawat: Writing - review & editing, Writing - original draft, Conceptualization. Smriti Dewangan: Data curation. Khomendra Kumar Sarwa: Formal analysis. Moonmun Dhara: Data curation. Shakti Ketan Prusty: Data curation.

Ethical approval

Under the institutional criteria of the School of Pharmaceutical Science, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar Animal Ethics Committee, and with approval number IAEC/SPS/SOA/ 106/2022, the in-vivo investigations were carried out. The study fulfilled the ARRIVE Declaration and the regulations for the use and care of animals.

Ethics approval

All animal experiments were performed in accordance with the institutional ethical guidelines and were approved by the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (Approval No.: IAEC/SPS/SOA/106/2022).

Declaration of Generative AI in Scientific Writing

Not applicable.

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Data availability

The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Declaration of competing interest

There is no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgment

We are highly grateful to the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, for their support in conducting the animal studies. The graphical illustrations in this article were created using BioRender.com.

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