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Advances in the nanoparticle drug delivery systems of silymarin

Mei-Wan Chen, Wen Tan, Sheng-Peng Wang, Zhang-Feng Zhong, Yi-Tao Wang*   

  1. State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
  • Received:2011-01-27 Revised:2011-05-30 Online:2011-09-20 Published:2011-09-20
  • Contact: Yi-Tao Wang*

Abstract:

The recent advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology have greatly facilitated the development of nanoparticle drug delivery system. A nanoparticle drug delivery system of silymarin will improve its poor solubility in water and oil, thus enhancing its bioavailability. A variety of nanoparticle formulations of silymarin such as solid lipid nanoparticles, microemulsion and self-emulsifying drug delivery system, and liposomes have been extensively investigated. This paper reviews the advances of these formulations on their preparation and characterization, absorption and bioavailability, as well as in vivo and in vitro studies, in order to provide an assessment of current research for further pharmaceutical studies of silymarin.

Key words: Nanoparticle drug delivery system, Silymarin, Research advances

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