Water soluble microparticles of Sambucus nigra L. (elderberry) as a potential herbal medicine

Although traditional use of elderberry flowers is recognized by Medical Agencies, there are not suitable products on the Brazilian market. To overcome poor stability of tinctures of Sambucus nigra flowers, we aimed to develop spray dried microparticles. Statistical experimental design was applied taking inlet temperature and maltodextrin% at five different levels. Next, we applied a stability study for 60 days under accelerated conditions (40 °C/75% RH) and 180 days at room temperature (15-30 °C). We monitored flavonoid content as markers. The best drying condition was 188 °C and 65% of carrier and enabled microparticles with more than 90% of markers recovery. After 180 days, the dried extract remained with 90.8% at room temperature. The markers were released from microparticles in two minutes. In conclusion, the spray drying process and formulation enabled elderberry flowers to be easier to apply in solid pharmaceutical forms.