Preparation, in vitro and in vivo evaluation of pinocembrin-loaded TPGS modified liposomes with enhanced bioavailability and antihyperglycemic activity

Purpose To prepare polyethylene glycol succinate-vitamin E modified pinocembrin (PCB)-loaded liposomes (PCBT-liposomes) and evaluate PCBT-liposomal pharmacokinetics and antihyperglycemic activity.Significance The novel PCBT-liposomes demonstrated a promising application prospect as a nano drug carrier for future research.Methods Thin film dispersion was used to prepare PCBT-liposomes. We measured a series of characterization, followed by in vitro cumulative release, in vivo pharmacokinetic study, and antihyperglycemic activity evaluation.Results PCBT-liposomes displayed spherical and bilayered nanoparticles with mean particle size (roughly 92 nm), negative zeta potential (about −26.650 mV), high drug encapsulation efficiency (87.32 ± 1.34%) and good storage (at 4 or 25 °C) stability during 48 h after hydration. The cumulative release rate of PCBT-liposomes was markedly higher than free PCB in four different pH media. In vivo investigation showed that PCBT-liposomes could obviously improve oral bioavailability of PCB by 1.96 times, whereas the Cmax, MRT0–t, and T1/2 of PCBT-liposomes were roughly 1.700 ± 0.139 µg·mL−1, 12.695 ± 1.647 h, and 14.244 h, respectively. In terms of biochemical analysis, aspartate amino-transferase (AST), alanine amino-transferase (ALT), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) concentrations in serum of diabetic mice were respectively decreased 28.28%, 17.23%, 17.77%, and 8.08% after PCBT-liposomal treatment.Conclusion These results show PCBT-liposomal preparation as an excellent nano-carrier which has the potential to improve water solubility, bioavailability, and antihyperglycemic activity of PCB, amid broadening the application of PCB in the clinical settings.