ABSTRACT
Objective: Puerarin nanoemulsion lyophilized powder (Pue-NE-LP) was prepared using natural surfactant glycyrrhizic acid as stabilizer and evaluated in vitro. Methods: Pue-NE was prepared by high-speed shear and high-pressure homogenization method, and further combined with freeze-drying method to prepare Pue-NE-LP. Taking the average particle size and polydispersity index (PDI) as the evaluation indexes, the optimal prescription and process parameters of this experiment were screened out through a single factor test. The prepared Pue-NE-LP was characterized by physicochemical properties and dissolution in vitro. Results: The average particle size and PDI of Pue-NE-LP prepared with 5% glyceryl caprylate as oil phase, 2.0 mg/mL glycyrrhizic acid as stabilizer, and 7% glucose as lyophilization protectant was (215.1 ± 0.7) nm and (0.133 ± 0.024), respectively. Scanning electron microscopy showed that Pue-NE-LP was irregularly small and uniform in size; X-ray diffraction showed that Pue-NE-LP existed in an amorphous state. In vitro release results showed that the dissolution rate of Pue-NE-LP was significantly higher than the physical mixture. Conclusion: Pue-NE-LP prepared with natural surfactant glycyrrhizic acid as a stabilizer is not only simple to prepare, but also can significantly improve the solubility and bioavailability of puerarin. It provides a reference for the multiple development of Pue-NE formulations.