ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study bioavailability of puerarin (Pue) in rats and learn the biodistribution of pue in mice, the different size range of puerarin (Pue) nanoemulsion (NE) were prepared. METHODS: Rats were fed five different particle sizes Pue NE, mice were fed three different particle sizes Pue NE, respectively. The RP-HPLC method was established to determine the pue levels in the plasma and other tissues. The tissues distribution and targeting efficiency were evaluated by pharmacokinetic parameters (AUC, MRT) and targeting parameters. RESULTS: The pharmacokinetic parameters from the known, the particle size are (10.3 ± 1.7), (24.8 ± 2.3), (38.7 ± 3.0), (54.6 ± 6.0), (98.4 ± 9.8) nm, AUC values were (16.79 ± 3.67), (20.20 ± 4.23), (30.16 ± 5.78), (36.77 ± 3.98), (32.69 ± 4.041) μg · h · mL-1. In contrast to pue suspension group, NE showed a higher targeting efficiency in the Kidney and lung. The AUC of Pue in the liver and spleen were 5-6 times and the MRT were 2-3 times, respectively. CONCLUSION: In a certain size range (10-60 nm), the smaller the particle size, the smaller bioavailability. NE shows a higher targeting efficiency in the lung and kidney.