title: Formulation, characterization, and in vitro evaluation of silymarin-loaded lipid microspheres.
abstract: The objective of our study was to incorporate and evaluate Silymarin, a chemically defined natural hepatoprotective agent, in lipid microstructured systems. Various constituents of lipid microspheres--namely, internal oily core; surfactant such as soyabean lecithin; and cosurfactants such as span 20, tween 20, tween 80, and propylene glycol--were tried in different concentrations to optimize the final formulation characteristics such as globule size range, structural integrity, sustainability, and percent drug-holding capacity. The final formulation (formulation A) was characterized with respect to size and morphology using transmission electron microscopy and laser diffraction technique. The enhanced mean percent release of 56.70+/- 2.03% was observed in 36 hr from silymarin-loaded lipid microspheres (formulation A), as compared to 18.67 +/- 0.192% with silymarin solution (formulation B). Thus, a stable delivery system having synergistic hepatoprotective effect of silymarin and soyabean lecithin could successively be produced for passive targeting to the liver.
authors.affiliation: University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. sonu_abrol@yahoo.co.in
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abrol
authors.forename: Aman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trehan
authors.forename: O P
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: Katare
mesh_terms: D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D004355:Drug Stability; D005079:Excipients; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008055:Lipids; D008863:Microspheres; D010316:Particle Size; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D012838:Silymarin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D012995:Solubility; D013025:Glycine max; D013501:Surface-Active Agents
chemical_list: D005079:Excipients; D008055:Lipids; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D020011:Protective Agents; D012838:Silymarin; D013501:Surface-Active Agents