Development of Curcumin-Loaded Alginate Beads for Targeted Gastric Mucosa Delivery in Helicobacter Pylori-Associated Gastritis

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis is a significant global health challenge, emphasizing the need for innovative treatment approaches. This study developed curcumin-loaded alginate beads as a targeted delivery system for the gastric mucosa. Curcumin, a bioactive compound derived from Curcuma longa, has demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, particularly against H. pylori. Alginate beads were formulated using the ionotropic gelation method, with optimization of bead composition to ensure prolonged gastric residence time. A total of 120 alginate bead preparations were assessed for their physical characteristics, including mean diameter, drug loading (DL), and encapsulation efficiency (EE). The mean diameter, DL, and EE were 1.25 ± 0.05 mm, 82.65%, and 91.43%, respectively. The beads exhibited excellent floating properties, maintaining buoyancy for over eight hours in simulated gastric fluid. As a conclusion, curcumin-loaded alginate beads can enhance therapeutic efficacy against H. pylori-associated gastritis by enabling targeted and prolonged drug delivery at the infection site.