Objective: To prepare and evaluate an intravenous emulsion of tanshinone II(A).
Method: Soybean phospholipid mixing with poloxamer 188 was used as emulsifier. Oleic acid and glycerol were used as co-emulsifier and isoosmotic adjusting agent, respectively. The coarse emulsion was first prepared and following homogenization was carried out for the coarse emulsion by using a high pressure homogenizer.
Result: The average diameter of the prepared tanshinone II (A) emulsion was 211 nm with a zeta potential of -32. 1 mV. There had no changes of diameter, zeta potential, pH value, content and physical appearance for the tanshinone II (A) emulsion stored at 25 degrees C away from light during one year.
Conclusion: The physicochemical properties of the prepared tanshinone II (A) emulsion was stable, which could meet the requirements of intravenous administration.