Preparation and evaluation of andrographolide-loaded microemulsion.

Andrographolide has a low aqueous solubility and oral bioavailability, which limits its clinical application. Reform the dosage forms of andrographolide to improve its aqueous solubility and oral bioavailability. The formulation, characterisation, stability, anti-inflammatory effect, pharmacokinetics and oral toxicity of andrographolide-loaded microemulsion, were studied. An formulation of O/W microemulsion consisting of an oil phase of isopropyl myristate, a surfactant phase of Tween 80, a co-surfactant of alcohol, and water was found to be ideal, with mean droplet size of 15.9 nm, a high capacity of solubilisation for andrographolide (8.02 mg mL(-1)). Such an andrographolide-loaded microemulsion is stable by monitoring the time, temperature and gravity-dependent change, and has a much better anti-inflammatory effect and a higher biological availability than andrographolide tablets. Besides, it also shows a very low acute oral toxicity. The andrographolide-loaded microemulsion is a promising dosage form of andrographolide.