Poor water solubility and low bioavailability hinder the clinical application of about 70% of newly synthesized compounds. Nanocrystal technology has become a preferred way to improve bioavailability by improving solubility. However, it remains challenging to produce nanocrystals with ultra-small particle sizes to further enhance the extent of bioavailability. Herein, we constructed ultra-small puerarin nanocrystals (Pue-NCs) (20-40 nm) via formation of hydrogen bond during HPH. We confirmed the formation of hydrogen bonds by 1H NMR and FTIR, and observed the distribution of polymer chains by SEM and TEM. The absorption mechanisms were studied in Caco-2 cell monolayers, and the results showed that the major transport mechanism for puerarin was passive diffusion, meanwhile, for Pue-NCs, the passive transport and micropinocytosis-mediated endocytosis coexisted. The absolute bioavailability of Pue-NCs was 35.28%, which was 11.54 folds compared to that of puerarin. Therapeutic equivalence was demonstrated between Pue-NCs and puerarin injection at 50 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg, respectively, in isoproterenol-induced myocardial ischemia model. This study provides a novel strategy for preparing ultra-small nanocrystals by HPH to increase bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs.
Keywords: Absorption mechanism; Bioavailability; Nanocrystals; Therapeutic effect; Ultra-small.
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