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Formulation Development and Bioavailability Evaluation of a Self-Nanoemulsified Drug Delivery System of Oleanolic Acid

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Abstract

This study aims to formulate and evaluate bioavailability of a self-nanoemulsified drug delivery system (SNEDDS) of a poorly water-soluble herbal active component oleanolic acid (OA) for oral delivery. Solubility of OA under different systems was determined for excipient selection purpose. Four formulations, where OA was fixed at the concentration of 20 mg/g, were prepared utilizing Sefsol 218 as oil phase, Cremophor EL and Labrasol as primary surfactants, and Transcutol P as cosurfactant. Pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were constructed to identify self-emulsification regions for the rational design of SNEDDS formulations. Sefsol 218 was found to provide the highest solubility among all medium-chained oils screened. Efficient self-emulsification was observed for the systems composing of Cremophor EL and Labrasol. The surfactant to cosurfactant ratio greatly affected the droplet size of the nanoemulsion. Based on the outcomes in dissolution profiles, stability data, and particle size profiles, three optimized formulations were selected: Sefsol 218/Cremophor EL/Labrasol (50:25:25, w/w), Sefsol 218/Cremophor EL/Labrasol/Transcutol P (50:20:20:10, w/w), and Sefsol 218/Cremophor EL/Labrasol/Transcutol P (50:17.5:17.5:15, w/w). Based on the conventional dissolution method, a remarkable increase in dissolution was observed for the SNEDDS when compared with the commercial tablet. The oral absorption of OA from SNEDDS showed a 2.4-fold increase in relative bioavailability compared with that of the tablet (p < 0.05), and an increased mean retention time of OA in rat plasma was also observed compared with that of the tablet (p < 0.01). These results suggest the potential use of SNEDDS to improve dissolution and oral bioavailability for poorly water-soluble triterpenoids such as OA.

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Acknowledgments

Financial support from the Research Council of the University of Macau (Research Grant RG 072/05-06S/07R for YZ) and the Macao Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT Fund Project No: 005/2007/A1 for HHYT & 008/2007/A1 for YZ) is gratefully acknowledged. Valuable comments from Mr. Zhao Yi are highly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, 3/F, Block 3, Av. Padre Tomás Pereira, S.J. Taipa, Macau SAR, China

    Jia Xi, Jia Bei Sun, Yi Tao Wang & Ying Zheng

  2. Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100193, People’s Republic of China

    Qi Chang, Zhao Yu Meng & Geng Nan Wang

  3. Department of Chemical and Molecular Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, SAR, China

    Chak K. Chan

  4. School of Health Sciences, Macao Polytechnic Institute, Macao SAR, China

    Henry H. Y. Tong

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  1. Jia Xi
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  2. Qi Chang
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  3. Chak K. Chan
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  4. Zhao Yu Meng
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  5. Geng Nan Wang
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  6. Jia Bei Sun
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  7. Yi Tao Wang
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  8. Henry H. Y. Tong
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  9. Ying Zheng
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Correspondence to Henry H. Y. Tong or Ying Zheng.

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Xi, J., Chang, Q., Chan, C.K. et al. Formulation Development and Bioavailability Evaluation of a Self-Nanoemulsified Drug Delivery System of Oleanolic Acid. AAPS PharmSciTech 10, 172–182 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1208/s12249-009-9190-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1208/s12249-009-9190-9

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