Phospholipid complexes of curcumin having improved bioavailability

Abstract

The present invention relates to novel phospholipids complexes of curcumin or extracts containing it having improved bioavailability.

1 . Phospholipids complexes of curcumin or extracts containing it. 
     
     
         2 . The complexes of  claim 1 , wherein the phospholipids are soy phospholipids. 
     
     
         3 . The complexes of  claim 2 , wherein the phospholipids are selected from phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl serine, phosphatidyl ethanolamine. 
     
     
         4 . The complexes of  claim 1 , wherein the phospholipid to curcumin ratio is in the range from 10 and 1 w/w. 
     
     
         5 . The complex compounds of  claim 2 , wherein the phospholipid to curcumin ratio is from 5:1 w/w. 
     
     
         6 . A process for the preparation of the complex compounds of  claim 1 , wherein a hydroalcoholic extract of turmeric rhizomes is reacted with phospholipids in an alcoholic solvent, and the complex compound is then isolated by concentration and drying. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 6 , wherein the alcoholic solvent is ethanol. 
     
     
         8 . Pharmaceutical compositions containing as the active principle a complex as claimed in  claim 1 , in admixture with a suitable pharmaceutical carrier. 
     
     
         9 . A chemopreventive medicament comprising the complexes of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . The phospholipids complexes as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the phospholipids complexes are from a hydroalcoholic extract of turmeric rhizomes containing curcumin wherein the phospholipid to curcumin ratio is in a range from 10:1 to 1:1 w/w.