Pharmacokinetics and liver uptake of three Schisandra lignans in rats after oral administration of liposome encapsulating ß-cyclodextrin inclusion compound of Schisandra extract.

Schisandra chinensis fructus (SCF) is widely used traditional Chinese medicine, which possesses hepato-protective potential. Schisandrin (SD), schisantherin (ST), and γ-schizandrin (SZ) are the major bioactive lignans. The main problem associated with the major bioactive lignans oral administration is low oral bioavailability due to the lignans' poor aqueous solubility and taste. The aim of the present research work was to develop liposome (SCL) encapsulated ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) inclusion complex loaded with SCF extract (SCF-E). The SD, ST, and SZ were selected as effective candidates to perform comparisons of liver targeting among the solution (SES), ß-cyclodextrin inclusion compound (SCF-E-ß-CD), liposome (SEL), and SCL of SCF-E to characterize the pharmacokinetic behaviors and liver targeting in rats. The ß-CD inclusion complex (SCF-E-ß-CD) was used to improve the solubility. The concentrations were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and analyzed by DAS3.0. The pharmacokinetic results indicate that the plasma concentration-time courses were fitted well to the one-compartment model with the first weighing factor. The half-life period (t1/2) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of the three components in SCL were the largest. The SCL exhibit a relatively high liver targeting effect. The results would be helpful for guiding the clinical application of this herbal medicine.

Encapsulation of a flavonoid-rich Allium cepa L. var. agrogatum don extract in ß-cyclodextrin for transdermal drug delivery.

This work aims to evaluate the encapsulation of a flavonoid-rich Allium cepa L. var. agrogatum Don extract (ACADFE) in ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) by analyzing the percutaneous penetration in vitro and in vivo, leading to an explanation of the physical mechanism during transdermal transport. The optimal inclusion compound containing ACADFE in ß-CD was prepared in a 1:3 molar ratio. The physicochemical characterization of the inclusion complex was performed using IR, UV-vis, simultaneous thermogravimetry (TG), and differential thermal analysis (DTA) studies. It was concluded that the inclusion complex could improve the aqueous solubility and bioavailability of ACADFE. The inclusion complex exhibited significant enhancement of percutaneous absorption both in vitro and in vivo. The dorsal skins of hairless mice were photographed using a confocal scanning laser microscope. Confocal scanning laser microscopy shows that penetration of the ACADFE-ß-CD inclusion complex proceeds across skin via both follicular and transcellular routes.

A practical and nontarnishing method for the analysis of trace nickel in hydrogenated cottonseed oil by inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry with pressurized PTFE vessel acid digestion.

A practical and nontarnishing method for the determination of trace nickel (Ni) in hydrogenated cottonseed oil by inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP/MS) was developed. In order to avoid tarnishing in the pretreatment of samples, the technology of pressurized PTFE vessel acid digestion was applied. The temperature and acid content in the digestion were optimized. The results showed that hydrogenated cottonseed oil could be digested completely by the proposed method. Compared with the U.S. Pharmacopeia 28 and British Pharmacopoeia 2003 methods, the developed method avoided the risk of using platinum and the tarnish from silica crucibles. In addition, the analytical cycle of the test solution was shortened by the use of ICP/MS instead of graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry.