ABSTRACT
Objective: To prepare self micro-emulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) of tectorigenin (TG), and investigate its dissolution. Methods: The formulation was optimized using Design Expert based on D-optimal design. The microemulsion's physicochemical and in vitro dissolution were evaluated after self-microemulsification. Results: The particle size and Zeta potential of the final formulation were (14.95 ± 0.31) nm and (-12.53 ± 0.80) mV after it was diluted by 10 times with pure water. The microemulsion appeared to be spheres with homogeneous size, which can be observed through a transmission electron microscope. The drug loading capacity was 20 mg/g, and the average content was (99.03 ± 0.70)%. The results of in vitro dissolution study showed that the accumulative dissolution could be close to 100% after 10 min in both hydrochloric acid solution (pH 1.2) and PBS (pH 6.8). Conclusion: D-optimal design could be used to optimize the formulations of TG-SMEDDS successfully. The TG-SMEDDS exhibits a larger accumulation dissolution than TG. This formulation would be easier absorbed through gastrointestinal tract compared to TG. The results of this study are expected to offer data support and reference for the TG's formulation design and clinical application.