Optimization of Preparation Process of ZnO-Curcumin Nanoparticles by Box-Behnken Response Surface Methodology

OBJECTIVE To optimize the preparation process of ZnO-Curcumin nanoparticles(ZnO-Cur NPs). METHODS The groups on the curcumin molecule could form hydrogen bonds and coordination bonds with the hydroxyl groups on the surface of zinc oxide nanoparticles, which be used to prepare ZnO-Cur NPs. Based on the results of the single-factor tests, the preparation process of ZnO-Cur NPs was optimized by Box-Behnken response surface methodology with drug loading efficiency as the indicator, and temperature, pH and ratio of blank ZnO NPs to curcumin as the response factors. RESULTS The optimized preparation process of ZnO-Cur NPs included preparation temperature of 90.3℃, pH=8.93, and ratio of ZnO NPs to curcumin was 1:2. Under this process condition, the drug loading efficiency of ZnO-Cur NPs was 29.33%, and the relative error with the predicted value(30.15%) was 0.60%. CONCLUSION The optimized preparation process of ZnO-Cur NPs is stable and feasible, and it is suitable for the preparation of ZnO-Cur NPs. Meanwhile, the established regression model is reasonable.