Preparation and in Vitro Release of Hollow Zein-paeoniflorin Nanoparticles / 中国药学杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To improve the stability and oral bioavailability of paeoniflorin, develop solid and hollow zein-paeoniflorin nanoparticles, and compare their properties and in vitro release. METHODS: The solid and hollow zein-paeoniflorin nanoparticles were fabricated by phase separation method, and the processing parameters were optimized according to the entrapment efficiency by orthogonal design. The morphology and mean size of nanoparticles were investigated and in vitro release was carried out using the optimal prescription. RESULTS: The mass of paeoniflorin, the concentration of zein and the stirring time in optimal prescription of solid zein-paeoniflorin nanoparticles were 10 mg, 10 mg•mL-1 and 2 h, respectively. These three factors in optimal prescription of hollow zein-paeoniflorin nanoparticles were 20 mg, 5 mg•mL-1 and 1 h, respectively. The obtained nanoparticles of solid and hollow zein-paeoniflorin nanoparticles were spherical with a mean particle size of 110 and 50 nm. And the drug load efficiency and entrapment efficiency of solid and hollow zein-paeoniflorin nanoparticles were 26.94%, 53.87%, 44.52% and 55.65%, respectively. In vitro release of both formulations indicated sustained release effect. CONCLUSION: The solid and hollow zein-paeoniflorin nanoparticles are successfully prepared by phase separation method. The method is simple and reliable. Compared with solid nanoparticles, the drug load efficiency of hollow nanoparticles is greatly improved, and in vitro studies of hollow zein-paeoniflorin nanoparticles show much slower release.