Fabrication of carrier-free apigenin nanoparticles using antisolvent
crystallization technology
Abstract
To overcome poor solubility of flavonoids , carrier-free apigenin (API)
microparticles and nanoparticles were prepared using three types of
antisolvent precipitation technologies: supercritical antisolvent (SCF)
technology, ultrasonic-assisted liquid antisolvent (UAL) technology, and
high-pressure homogenization (HPH) technology.The preparation,
characterization, and potential use of API microparticles and
nanoparticles to improve in vitro release were studied. The resulting
API particles were investigated and compared by FTIR, DSC, XRD, and SEM
analysis. We determined the optimum conditions for SCF, UAL, and HPH
technologies to produce API microparticles and nanoparticles. The
antioxidant and antitumor properties of the API particles were also
investigated. The results demonstrated that the reduced particle size of
the APIs prepared via SCF, UAL, and HPH technologies contributed to the
enhanced dissolution rate, which in turn enhanced API bioactivity.