This study aimed to enhance the solubility of ferulic acid using solid dispersion techniques and develop chewable tablets that neutralize stomach acid, form a protective gel layer, prevent gastric fluid reflux, and ensure prolonged retention in the stomach with controlled release of the active ingredient. Researchers developed solid dispersions of ferulic acid using Eudragit® E PO as a carrier, with a 1:2 w/w ratio, achieving the highest solubility (39.9 mg/mL). Chewable tablets were formulated by direct compression, incorporating sodium alginate as a gelling agent, calcium carbonate for calcium ions and carbon dioxide, HPMC as a release retardant, and mannitol as a diluent. All formulations rapidly formed a gel layer within 10 seconds, had a lower density than gastric fluid, and floated on 0.1 N hydrochloric acid for over 8 hours. The optimal formulation demonstrated excellent physical properties, including a gel strength of 11.84 g, an acid neutralization capacity of 15.97 mEq, and reaching 80.58% over 8 hours with gradual release. It exhibited significant antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ 6.74 µg/mL) in the DPPH assay and showed stronger anti-inflammatory effects in macrophage cells than indomethacin. These findings suggest this formulation could enhance ferulic acid's effectiveness in treating gastric ulcers and preventing acid reflux.

Curcumin exhibits potent anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory activities; however, its therapeutic application is limited by poor aqueous solubility and low oral bioavailability. A curcumin-loaded chewable gel was developed to transform into an in situ gastric gel upon contact with gastric fluid after mastication. Curcumin solid dispersions (CUR-SDs) were prepared with Eudragit^® EPO (1:1–1:7, w/w) using the solvent evaporation method. The optimized formulation (1:3) markedly enhanced solubility and dissolution in acidic medium (0.1 N HCl, pH 1.2) compared with crystalline curcumin and physical mixtures. The optimized CUR-SD was subsequently incorporated into chewable gels composed of sodium alginate and κ-carrageenan, with calcium carbonate as a gas-forming agent. The formulations formed buoyant matrices under acidic conditions, exhibiting floating lag times of 21–215 s and sustaining drug release for up to 8 h. Increasing polymer content improved mechanical strength and modulated release kinetics. Among the tested formulations, F7 achieved the optimal balance between texture properties, floating behavior, and controlled-release performance. In LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages, curcumin, CUR-SD, and F7 showed comparable and potent anti-inflammatory activity (IC₅₀ = 4.12–4.84 µg/mL), outperforming indomethacin. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, F7 significantly reduced lipid accumulation (~47%) in a concentration-dependent manner. These findings demonstrate that this transformable chewable in situ gelling platform is a promising gastroretentive strategy for improving the oral therapeutic efficacy of poorly soluble bioactive compounds for anti-obesity applications.