Softgel capsule technology as an enhancer device for the absorption of natural principles in humans. A bioavailability cross-over randomised study on silybin.

In order to evaluate if a patented soft gelatine capsule could improve the bioavailability of silybin (CAS 22888-70-6) in comparison to a hard shell capsule, an open, single dose, two-way, balanced cross-over study, was performed. The study was conducted on 12 healthy subjects (6 M and 6 F). 80 mg of silybin in a 1:2 complex with phosphatidylcholine was administered. Blood was sampled from the subjects in two occasions at the following times after drug administrations: 0 (sample before dosing), 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 h. The pharmacokinetic parameters calculated from the results of the plasma analyses demonstrated that the mean values of both Cmax and AUC0-1 were increased when the patented soft gelatine capsule formulations were administered (i.e. Cmax more than 3-fold and AUC0-1 more than 2-fold).