Background <p>Curcumin, a bioactive extracted from turmeric (<i>Curcuma longa</i> L.), has been used in traditional medicine for its anti-microbial and antioxidant activity. However, curcumin’s poor water solubility limits its bioavailability when taken orally. This study aimed to enhance curcumin’s dissolution by adsorbing the drug onto a pharmaceutical carrier.</p> Methods <p>Curcumin was dissolved in a cosolvent containing ethanol and acetone (1:3 <i>v/v</i>), then added dropwise to the adsorbent under wet grinding. The wet mass was then dried at 60&#xa0;°C for 2&#xa0;h and passed through a 35-mesh sieve. Various adsorbents, i.e., lactose monohydrate, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, and silica dioxide, at differing drug-to-carrier ratios were used to investigate their effect on the dissolution of the curcumin-loaded adsorption powders.</p> Results <p>Curcumin adsorbed onto lactose monohydrate at a 1:10 curcumin: lactose ratio exhibited higher dissolution than pure curcumin and other adsorption systems. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) spectra showed that curcumin was in amorphous form in the lactose-based system. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging demonstrated curcumin’s successful adsorption onto lactose monohydrate with smaller drug particle size. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis confirmed the presence of hydrogen bonding interactions between curcumin and the adsorption carrier. Stability studies indicated that the curcumin-lactose monohydrate adsorption system maintained its dissolution profile and amorphous state after 6-month storage under accelerated conditions (40&#xa0;°C and 75% RH).</p> Conclusion <p>The adsorption method effectively enhanced curcumin’s dissolution, which could subsequently improve its oral bioavailability.</p>