Proliposomes containing a bile salt were developed to improve the oral bioavailability of Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE). GbE loaded proliposomes (P-GbE) were successfully prepared by spray drying method. The formulation was optimized using the response surface methodology. FE-SEM, DSC, and FT-IR were used to study the surface morphology and molecular state of proliposomes, and demonstrated key interactions between the formulation ingredients. In vitro studies showed delayed release and enhanced dissolution of Ginkgo flavonoids and terpene lactones from GbE proliposomes. Proliposomes significantly enhanced GbE absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and decreased its elimination. The bioavailabilities of quercetin, kaempferol, isorhmnetin, ginkgolide A, ginkgolide B and ginkgolide C from proliposomes relative to the control were 245%, 211%, 264%, 203%, 333%, and 294%, respectively. Proliposomes were shown to selectively deliver GbE to critical target tissues. In conclusion, development of proliposomes formulation for GbE solved the problem of its poor oral bioavailability, prolonged its duration of action, and increased drug distribution in critical tissues, especially in the brain, therefore, warrant further investigation.
Keywords: Ginkgo biloba extract; Oral bioavailability; Proliposomes; Response surface methodology; Tissue distribution.
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