Evaluation of the cytotoxicity and intestinal absorption of a self-emulsifying drug delivery system containing sodium taurocholate

Currently, many surfactants used in self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) can cause gastrointestinal mucosal irritation and systemic toxicity. In the present study, SMEDDS were loaded with pueraria flavones, using sodium taurocholate to replace polyoxyl 40 dydrogenated castor oil (Cremophor (R) RH 40) as the surfactant (PF-SMEDDSNR) to reduce the toxicity of SMEDDS using Cremophor (R) RH 40 as the surfactant (PF-SMEDDSR). The absorption rate constants (K-a) and intestinal permeability coefficients (P-eff) were measured. The effects of P-glycoprotein inhibitor (verapamil), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) inhibitor (2,4-dinitrophenol), and carrier inhibitor on K-a and P-eff values in the ileum were determined. Biological safety was also evaluated. The K-a and P-eff values increased for PF-solution concentrations of 200 mu g/ml > 100 mu g/ml > 400 mu g/ml in individual segments of the intestines. The results indicated that P-eff values of PF-SMEDDSNR were distinctly higher than those of SMEDDS loaded with pueraria flavones using Cremophor (R) RH 40 as the surfactant (PF-SMEDDSR) and PF-solution in four intestinal segments. However, the K-a values of PF-SMEDDSNR were higher only in the jejunum and ileum segments compared with those of PF-SMEDDSR and PF-solution. The K-a and P-eff values without verapamil were significantly lower than those with verapamil. 2,4-Dinitrophenol had no effect on K-a and P-eff values. The K-a and P-eff values of PF-SMEDDSNR significantly decreased after perfusing B-SMEDDSNR for 1 h prior to the study. The cell viabilities after exposure to SMEDDSNR were higher than those of SMEDDSR in the range of 81-324 mu g/ml. Lactate dehydrogenase release from cells treated with PF-SMEDDSNR or B-SMEDDSNR was significantly lower than that from cells treated with PF-SMEDDSR or B-SMEDDSR at surfactant concentrations of 243 and 324 mu g/ml. However, there were no differences with SMEDDS treatment at surfactant concentrations of 0-162 mu g/ml. Hence, we conclude that SMEDDS using sodium taurocholate as the surfactant can reduce the toxicity of SMEDDS, meanwhile, maintain the characteristics of SMEDDS, and enhance intestinal absorption.