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Volume 93
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10.3390/scipharm93030028
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Development and Characterization of Bigels for the Topical Delivery of Curcumin

by
Juan Luis Peréz-Salas
1,
Martha Rocío Moreno-Jiménez
1,
Luis Medina-Torres
2,*,
Nuria Elizabeth Rocha-Guzmán
1,
María Josefa Bernad-Bernad
2,
Rubén Francisco González-Laredo
1 and
José Alberto Gallegos-Infante
1,*
1
Laboratorio Nacional CONAHCYT de Apoyo a la Evaluación de Productos Bióticos (LaNAEPBi), Unidad de Servicio, Tecnológico Nacional de México/I.T. de Durango (TecNM/ITD), Blvd. Felipe Pescador 1830 Ote., C.P., Dgo., Durango 34080, Mexico
2
Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Sci. Pharm. 2025, 93(3), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/scipharm93030028
Submission received: 27 April 2025 / Revised: 18 June 2025 / Accepted: 27 June 2025 / Published: 3 July 2025
Review Reports Versions Notes

Abstract

The topical application of curcumin can act directly on the tissue, but there are problems related to solubility and permeation. Bigels combine hydrogels and organogels to enhance the release and transport of bioactives through the skin. The aim of this study was to develop bigels for the topical delivery of curcumin. Employing a rheology test, it was found that all bigels showed a solid-like behavior structure (G’ > G’’) with stiffness increasing with higher organogel content. The principle of time–temperature superposition (TTS) was used to generate master curves. Microscopy revealed a morphological structure that depended on the organogel/hydrogel ratio. The bigels exhibited a pH compatible with that of human skin, and the curcumin content met the standards for uniform dosage. Thermal characterization showed the presence of three peaks in coconut oil bigels and two peaks in castor oil bigels. Bigels with a 45% castor oil organogel/55% hydrogel ratio exhibited a longer controlled release of curcumin, while bigels with coconut oil showed a faster release. The release data were fitted to mathematical models indicating non-Fickian release. The permeability of curcumin through Strat-M membranes was investigated, and greater permeation was observed with increasing organogel content. The developed bigels could be a promising option for the topical delivery of curcumin.
Keywords: bigel; curcumin; hydrogel; organogel; topical delivery bigel; curcumin; hydrogel; organogel; topical delivery

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Peréz-Salas, J.L.; Moreno-Jiménez, M.R.; Medina-Torres, L.; Rocha-Guzmán, N.E.; Bernad-Bernad, M.J.; González-Laredo, R.F.; Gallegos-Infante, J.A. Development and Characterization of Bigels for the Topical Delivery of Curcumin. Sci. Pharm. 2025, 93, 28. https://doi.org/10.3390/scipharm93030028

AMA Style

Peréz-Salas JL, Moreno-Jiménez MR, Medina-Torres L, Rocha-Guzmán NE, Bernad-Bernad MJ, González-Laredo RF, Gallegos-Infante JA. Development and Characterization of Bigels for the Topical Delivery of Curcumin. Scientia Pharmaceutica. 2025; 93(3):28. https://doi.org/10.3390/scipharm93030028

Chicago/Turabian Style

Peréz-Salas, Juan Luis, Martha Rocío Moreno-Jiménez, Luis Medina-Torres, Nuria Elizabeth Rocha-Guzmán, María Josefa Bernad-Bernad, Rubén Francisco González-Laredo, and José Alberto Gallegos-Infante. 2025. "Development and Characterization of Bigels for the Topical Delivery of Curcumin" Scientia Pharmaceutica 93, no. 3: 28. https://doi.org/10.3390/scipharm93030028

APA Style

Peréz-Salas, J. L., Moreno-Jiménez, M. R., Medina-Torres, L., Rocha-Guzmán, N. E., Bernad-Bernad, M. J., González-Laredo, R. F., & Gallegos-Infante, J. A. (2025). Development and Characterization of Bigels for the Topical Delivery of Curcumin. Scientia Pharmaceutica, 93(3), 28. https://doi.org/10.3390/scipharm93030028

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