Targeting silymarin for improved hepatoprotective activity through chitosan nanoparticles

Silymarin is one of the best known hepatoprotective drugs, which is obtained from the seeds of Silybum marianum L., Family: Asteraceae or Compositae. The plant has traditionally been used for centuries as a natural remedy for liver and biliary tract diseases. The aim of the present investigation was to enhance the hepatoprotective activity of silymarin by incorporating it in chitosan (Ch) nanoparticles (NPs) for passive targeted delivery, thereby prolonging its retention time.

Silymarin loaded NPs were prepared by ionic gelation technique, which were then optimized using a central composite design in order to minimize the particle size and maximize the drug entrapment efficiency. The optimized formulation was evaluated for in vitro drug release study and in vitro study on Swiss Albino mice using carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) induced hepatotoxicity model.

In vitro dissolution studies illustrated sustained, zero order drug release from optimized formulation; also its therapeutic potential was amplified during in vitro studies on Swiss Albino mice using CCL4 induced hepatotoxicity model.

The results suggested that NPs of silymarin could successfully enhance its hepatoprotective effect by passive targeting and sustained release.