title: Targeting silymarin for improved hepatoprotective activity through chitosan nanoparticles.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Silymarin is one of the best known hepatoprotective drugs, which is obtained from the seeds of Silybum marianum L., Family: Asteraceae or Compositae. The plant has traditionally been used for centuries as a natural remedy for liver and biliary tract diseases. The aim of the present investigation was to enhance the hepatoprotective activity of silymarin by incorporating it in chitosan (Ch) nanoparticles (NPs) for passive targeted delivery, thereby prolonging its retention time.
  
  
  METHODS
  Silymarin loaded NPs were prepared by ionic gelation technique, which were then optimized using a central composite design in order to minimize the particle size and maximize the drug entrapment efficiency. The optimized formulation was evaluated for in vitro drug release study and in vitro study on Swiss Albino mice using carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) induced hepatotoxicity model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In vitro dissolution studies illustrated sustained, zero order drug release from optimized formulation; also its therapeutic potential was amplified during in vitro studies on Swiss Albino mice using CCL4 induced hepatotoxicity model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggested that NPs of silymarin could successfully enhance its hepatoprotective effect by passive targeting and sustained release.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, GHG Khalsa College of Pharmacy, Gurusar-Sadhar, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Swati
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, G. J. University of Science and Technology, Hisar, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Shailendra Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, G. J. University of Science and Technology, Hisar, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Priti
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Girotra
keywords: Carbon tetrachloride; chitosan; hepatotoxicity; optimized nanoparticles; sustained release