title: Toxicity evaluation of microemulsion (nano size) of sour cherry kernel extract for the oral bioavailability enhancement.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the recent years nanostructured materials have been the focus of researches due to their wide-spread possibilities to provide new shapes and structures for some materials. Microemulsions can provide uniform nano-sized droplets for templating. Microemulsions are isotropic, thermodynamically-stable systems of oil, water and surfactant with a 20-200 nm droplet size. They can be prepared as oil-in-water (o/w), water-in-oil (w/o) or bicontinuous systems, depending on the equilibrium spontaneous curvature of the surfactant layer at the oil-water interface.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to introduce a system designed to improve and enhance the bioavailability of bioflavonoids in the Prunus cerasus (sour cherry) seed kernel extract by developing a novel delivery system, i.e. microemulsion (nanosized particles).
  
  
  METHODS
  Microemulsion formulations were prepared by mixing appropriate amounts of surfactants (Tween 80 and Span 20), cosurfactant (propylene glycol) (3:1 ratio), and oil phase (olive oil). The prepared microemulsions were evaluated regarding their mean droplet size, transparency, viscosity, and pH. Sour cherry kernel extract microemulsion was orally administered to mice at doses of 2.5%, 5%, and 10% for 10 days. On the last day, their blood as well as their liver and kidney were used for biochemical and histopathological analyses, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Biochemical factors levels and the pathological study indicated that there were not significant differences in microemulsion extracts compared with the control group (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Not only no toxicity evidence of this product was observed in the dose range used in foods or healthcare, but also it improved the cardiac function recovery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Anayatollah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salimi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishpur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Eisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Motaharitabar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishpur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goudarzi
authors.affiliation: Department of pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Annahita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rezaie
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishpur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Heibatullah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kalantari
keywords: Biological Availability; Toxicity