Silymarin loaded floating polymer(s) microspheres: evaluation.

Silymarin has a short half-life (4-6 hours) which leads to necessity of frequent administration. Besides, it suffers from intestinal degradation. Thus, our study aims to formulate encapsulated floating microspheres using different polymers as HPMC, EC and a blend of them. Emulsion solvent evaporation technique was applied for preparation of microspheres. Parameters considered during preparation are drug: polymer ratio and emulsifier concentration. Selected formulations were characterized by SEM and subjected for assessment by drug entrapment efficiency, buoyancy for 12 hr, drug release, kinetics of release and stability. bio-equivalence study was performed using albino rabbits. Formula F24 (treatment II) exhibited high % buoyancy (73.4), higher t (190.7 day), high C (1021.3 ng/ml) and T (6 h) with a significant difference between it and treatment I (Silymarin plus) after carrying out ANOVA study. Also formula F24 exhibited MRT (hr) equal 9.44 ± 0.03 and high relative bioavailability RB% (227%), which indicates promising microspheres that could be used for effective management of liver disease.