Sustained release and enhanced bioavailability of injectable scutellarin-loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles.

The aim of this study is to characterize the in-vitro physicochemical and in-vivo pharmacokinetic properties of the scutellarin-loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (STA-BSA-NPs). STA existed as amorphous form in the nanoparticles. Reconstituted STA-BSA-NPs had an average particle size of 283.4 nm and a zeta potential of +17.95 mV. The in-vitro sustained release profile was well fitted with Weibull distribution model. In comparison to STA solution, STA-BSA-NPs exhibited a significantly higher plasma concentration from 20 min to 6 h after intravenous administration to rats. In addition, significantly higher AUC(0-inf) (2.8-fold), prolonged elimination half-life (4.2-fold) and lower clearance (2.7-fold) were achieved.