Soluplus‐Based Electrospun Curcumin Nanofibers for Improved Oral Dissolution and Cardioprotective Efficacy

ABSTRACT

Curcumin exhibits promising cardioprotective and antioxidant activities; however, its clinical translation is hindered by poor aqueous solubility and limited oral bioavailability. The purpose of this study was to develop Soluplus‐based electrospun curcumin nanofibers (Cur‐NF) and evaluate their potential to enhance dissolution behavior and cardioprotective efficacy following oral administration. Cur‐NF were fabricated using the electrospinning technique and characterized for morphology, drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro drug release. Cytoprotective activity was assessed in H9c2 rat cardiomyoblasts under hydrogen peroxide–induced oxidative stress using the MTT assay. In vivo cardioprotective efficacy was evaluated in a Wistar rat model of isoproterenol‐induced myocardial infarction by analyzing serum cardiac biomarkers. Scanning electron microscopy revealed uniform, bead‐free nanofibers with submicron dimensions. Cur‐NF exhibited high drug loading (49.2% ± 1.5%) and encapsulation efficiency (98.6% ± 1.9%). In vitro dissolution studies demonstrated significantly enhanced curcumin release from Cur‐NF (90.1% ± 1.5% at 2 h) compared with pure curcumin (42.2% ± 3.1%). Cur‐NF showed superior cytoprotective effects in H9c2 cells relative to free curcumin. In vivo, Cur‐NF significantly reduced serum levels of CK‐MB, LDH, and troponin‐T compared with curcumin suspension. Soluplus‐based electrospun nanofibers represent a promising oral delivery platform for improving the dissolution, bioavailability, and cardioprotective efficacy of curcumin.