ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To prepare and evaluate an intravenous emulsion of tanshinone II(A).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Soybean phospholipid mixing with poloxamer 188 was used as emulsifier. Oleic acid and glycerol were used as co-emulsifier and isoosmotic adjusting agent, respectively. The coarse emulsion was first prepared and following homogenization was carried out for the coarse emulsion by using a high pressure homogenizer.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The average diameter of the prepared tanshinone II (A) emulsion was 211 nm with a zeta potential of -32. 1 mV. There had no changes of diameter, zeta potential, pH value, content and physical appearance for the tanshinone II (A) emulsion stored at 25 degrees C away from light during one year.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The physicochemical properties of the prepared tanshinone II (A) emulsion was stable, which could meet the requirements of intravenous administration.</p>