PREPARATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND EVALUATION OF FAST-DISSOLVING SILIBININENRICHED SILYMARIN (SES)

The hepato-protective activity of silymarin is well demonstrated. However, silymarin is not a single component, but a mixture of silydianin, silychristin and silibinin. Silibinin is the least soluble and the most active component of silymarin. Accordingly, as silibinin content of silymarin increases, its activity is expected to increase. These were the objectives of the study i.e to prepare silibinin enriched silymarin (SES) and enhance its dissolution by preparing its adsorbates and co-adsorbates with Florite. Silibinin enriched silymarin was prepared by extracting the water soluble components of silymarin using water. The silibinin content of the SES was evaluated using HPLC method of assay. The fast dissolving SES systems were characterized using differential scanning calormetry, x-ray diffractometry and infra-red spectroscopy. The obtained results indicated the compatibility of Florite with SES. The biological activity of SES systems was evaluated in rats using paracetamol as a hepatotoxic agent and compared to that of silibinin alone. The results showed that SESco-adsorbate was more efficient in lowering the serum level of the specific liver enzymes (ALT and AST) than silibinin alone.