The contribution of absorption of integral nanocrystals to enhancement of oral bioavailability of quercetin

In this study,self-discriminating hybrid nanocrystals was utilized to explore the biological fate of quercetin hybrid nanocrystals(QT-HNCs)with diameter around 280 nm(QT-HNCs-280)and550 nm(QT-HNCs-550)following oral and intravenous administration and the contribution of integral nanocrystals to oral bioavailability enhancement of QT was estimated by comparing the absolute exposure of integral QT-HNCs and total QT in the liver.Results showed that QT-HNCs could reside in vivo as intact nanocrystals for as long as 48 h following oral and intravenous administration.A higher accumulation of integral QT-HNCs in liver and lung was observed for both oral and intravenous administration of QT-HNCs.The particle size affects the absorption and biodistribution of integral QT-HNCs and total QT.As compared to QT-HNCs-550,QT-HNCs-280 with smaller particle size is more easily absorbed,but dissolves faster in vivo,leading to higher distribution of QT(146.90 vs.117.91 h·mg/mL)but lower accumulation of integral nanocrystals(6.82 e10 vs.15.27 e10 h·[p/s]/[μW/cm2])in liver following oral administration.Due to its slower dissolution and enhanced recognition by RES,QT-HNCs-550 with larger diameter shows higher liver distribution for both of QT(1015.80 h·mg/mL)and integral nanocrystals(259.63 e10 h·[p/s]/[μW/cm2])than those of QT-HNCs-280(673.82&77.66 e10 h·[p/s]/[μW/cm2])following intravenous administration.The absolute exposure of integral QT-HNCs in liver following oral administration of QT-HNCs are 8.78%for QT-HNCs-280 and 5.88%for QT-HNCs-550,while the absolute exposure of total QT for QT-HNCs-280 and QT-HNCs-550 are 21.80%and 11.61%,respectively.Owing to imprecise quantifcation method,a surprisingly high contribution of integral QT-HNCs to oral bioavailability enhancement of QT(40.27%for QT-HNCs-280 and 50.65%for QT-HNCs-550)was obtained.These results revealed signifcant difference in absorption and biodistrbution between integral nanocrystals and overall drugs following oral and intravenous administration of QT-HNCs,and provided a meaningful reference for the contribution of integral nanocrystals to overall bioavailability enhancement.

Effects of novel Fufang Biejia Ruangan Tablets with sheep placenta as substitute for Hominis Placenta on CCl4-induced liver fibrosis

Objective:Fufang Biejia Ruangan Tablet(FBRT) is widely used for the treatment of liver fibrosis.However,Hominis Placenta(HP),as an important adjuvant of FBRT,has been restricted for medicinal using due to the limited availability,ethical controversy and safety issues.The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of novel FBRT(N-FBRT) with sheep placenta(SP) as substitute for HP on liver fibrosis and explore its possible mechanisms.Different dosages of SP in N-FBRT were also evaluated.Methods:Rats were subcutaneously injected with CCl_(4)to induce liver fibrosis and then treated with NFBRT and FBRT.The anti-hepatic fibrosis effect was determined based on biomarkers analysis of liver function and hepatic fibrosis,and the liver pathology was visualized by H&E staining and Masson staining.The oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines were also detected.Immunohistochemical staining of a-SMA,real time PCR and Western blotting were performed to evaluate hepatic stellate cells(HSCs)activation and TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.Results:N-FBRT and FBRT could ameliorate CCl_(4)-induced liver fibrosis and improve liver function,as evidenced by lowering serum biomarkers levels of liver function and hepatic fibrosis,and decreasing hepatic Hyp content and collagen deposition,and improving the hepatic morphology and architecture changes.Moreover,the anti-liver fibrosis effect was better when the dosage of SP used in N-FBRT was 1/2 of HP in FBRT.Administration of N-FBRT markedly alleviated oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines,and inhibited a-SMA expression.Furthermore,the mRNA expression of Col Ⅰ,Col Ⅲ,a-SMA and TGF-β1,and proteins expression of a-SMA,TGF-β1,Smad2/3 and p-Smad2/3 were significantly down-regulated by N-FBRT treatment.Conclusion:SP can be used as substitute for HP to prepare N-FBRT for the treatment of liver fibrosis and the anti-liver fibrosis effect of N-FBRT is achieved by eliminating oxidative stress and inflammation,and inhibiting HSCs activation and ECM production by blocking TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.

Insight into the in vivo fate of intravenous herpetrione amorphous nanosuspensions by aggregation-caused quenching probes

Intravenous nanosuspensions are attracted growing attention as a viable strategy for development of intravenous formulations of poorly water-soluble drugs.However,only few information about the biological fate of intravenous nanosuspensions is currently known,especially amorphous nanosuspensions are not reported yet.In this study,the in vivo fate of herpetrione(HPE)amorphous nanosuspensions following intravenous administration was explored by using an aggregation-caused quenching(ACQ)probe and HPLC methods.The ACQ probe is physically embedded into HPE nanoparticles via anti-solvent method to form HPE hybrid nanosuspensions(HPE-HNSs)for bioimaging.HPE-HNSs emit strong and stable fluorescence,but fluorescence quenches immediately upon the dissolution of HPE-HNSs,confirming the selfdiscrimination of HPE-HNSs.Following intravenous administration of HPE-HNSs,integral HPE-HNSs and HPE show similar degradation and biodistribution,with rapid clearance from blood circulation and obvious accumulation in liver and lung.Due to the slower dissolution and enhanced recognition by reticuloendothelial system,450 nm HPE-HNSs accumulate more in liver,lung and spleen than that of 200 nm HPE-HNSs.These results demonstrate that integral HPE-HNSs determine the in vivo performance of HPEHNSs.This study provides insight into the in vivo fate of intravenous amorphous nanosuspensions.