Bioavailability Studies of BioTurmin-WD (Water Dispersible Curcuminoids) Using Caco-2 Cell Model

Curcuminoids is the mixture of curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin obtained from dried rhizomes of Curcuma longa, commonly used for its wide therapeutic value. However, the absorption efficacy of curcuminoids is too low to exhibit its proper therapeutic value. Thus, a new preparation named as BioTurmin-WD (water dispersible curcuminoids) was developed for improved bioavailability. By using human Caco-2 cell monolayer, the permeability efficacy of BioTurmin-WD was evaluated and compared with that of 95% pure curcuminoids. Caco-2 model predicts the in vivo absorption of drugs across the gut wall by measuring the rate of transport of a compound across the Caco-2 cell line. BioTurmin-WD was added to the apical layer and basolateral samples were collected over 120 min to examine the concentration diffusing across the cell monolayer. Permeable curcuminoids across the cell monolayer was analysed through reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Apparent permeabilities (Papp) of BioTurmin-WD and 95% curcuminoids were found to be 5.89 × 10-6 and 2.65 × 10-6 cm/s respectively. The apparent permeability coefficient of BioTurmin-WD was 7.03-fold higher than 95% pure curcuminoids. Percentage permeability of BioTurmin-WD (0.2945) was much higher than 95% curcuminoids (0.0859). Results indicated that BioTurmin-WD have a much higher absorption capacity (bioavailability) compared to 95% pure curcuminoids. Thus, BioTurmin-WD may be useful as a dietary supplement with greater bioavailability to exert clinical benefits in humans at a lower dosage.