Enhancement of Stability, Release and in Vitro Digestibility of Mulberry Stem Extract Using Microemulsions

Abstract

Objective: This study was aimed to develop oral microemulsions and to evaluate their ability to enhance stability, release and intestinal digestion of mulberry stem extract (MSE). Methods:The pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed using caprylic/capric triglyceride (oil), PEG-8 caprylic/capric glycerides (S), polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate (CoS) and an aqueous phase. The effects of S/CoS (Km) ratio and a cosolvent, i.e. polyethene glycol 400 or propylene glycol (PG), were investigated. The optimized formulations were selected and incorporated with MSE. Then, they were then subjected to stability, release and lipolysis studies. The control solution consisted of 50% PG and 50% water. Results:The formation and characteristics of the microemulsions were influenced by Km and cosolvents. The two optimized formulations (F3 and F4) consisted of 10% oil, 70% S/CoS mixture and 20% aqueous phase were chosen. The Km ratios of F3 and F4 were 4:1 and 3:1. The aqueous phase of F3 and F4 was water and water mixed with PG, respectively. These formulations could improve the stability of MSE better than the control solution. The accumulated release of MSE from F3, F4 and the control solution reached 100% while that of unformulated crude extract reached only 70% after 6 h. The lipolysis study showed that MSE incorporated in both F3 and F4 was digested more than double the percentage compared to that of MSE incorporated in the control solution.Conclusion: MSE was successfully developed in microemulsions. They are shown to be promising vehicles for oral delivery of MSE. Further animal trials are suggested.

Nanoencapsulation Augments Release Efficacy and Glucose Tolerance of 14-Deoxy, 11, 12-Didehydro Andrographolide Loaded Polycaprolactone Nanoparticles in Streptozotocin-Nicotinamide Induced Type 2 Diabetes

“…In the food and pharmaceutical industries, the controlled release systems have emerged extensively to release the active substances Eg: drugs and nutrients [6]. The advancement in material science and nanoengineering are being prioritized for encapsulating therapeutic agents into a nanoformulation for targeted drug delivery [7,8].…”