Formulation and Physicochemical Characterization of Curcuma xanthorrhizaRoxb.-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticle

Abstract

Curcuma xanthorrhizaRoxb. is a traditional Indonesian medicine to nourish the liver. Due to poor water solubility of its major constituents such as xanthorrhizol and curcuminoid, its absorption upon oral administration could be li mited. The purpose of this study was to discover the best method to prepare C. xanthorrhizananoparticles using ultrasonicationchitosan entrapment with tripolyphosphate anions. This research used variations of sonication time (30 and 60 minutes), usage of TPP, and addition process of C. xanthorrhiza. The C. xanthorrhiza-loaded chitosannanoparticle were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Results have shown that the best method to formulate of C. xanthorrhizananoparticles was using addition of TPP and twice ultrasonication for 60 minutes. Thus, it would produce 222-3,500 nm sized particle. SEM imaging shown that chitosan was not loaded optimally, because the nanoparticles surface has been wrinkles and concave. The presence of C. xanthorrhiza in chitosannanoparticle has been verified using FTIR, which showed the unique functional groups from major compounds in C. xanthorrhiza. The result of crystalline degree analysis using XRD showed amorphous structure of C. xanthorrhizananoparticles went down over ultrasonication time decreased from 60 minutes to 30 minutes.