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BACKGROUND: Paeoniflorin (Pae), a water-soluble monoterpene glucoside, has high potential clinical value in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. However, the extremely low oral bioavailability of Pae (approximately 3%-4%) limits its formulation development and clinical application. This study aimed to develop micelles using the glycyrrhizic acid (GL) as the carrier to improve the oral absorption of Pae. METHODS: Pae loaded GL micelles were prepared by the ultrasonic dispersion method and its formulation was optimized by single-factor tests. Characterizations of Pae loaded GL micelles including particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency (EE), drug loading (DL), morphology, and drug release in vitro were carried out. The single-pass intestinal perfusion and pharmacokinetic studies of Pae loaded GL micelles were also evaluated in rats and compared with Pae solution and the mixed solution of Pae and GL. RESULTS: The optimized Pae loaded GL micelles had EE of (42.21 ± 0.89)%, particle size of (58.89 ± 4.24) nm with PDI of (0.194 ± 0.010), zeta potential of (-24.40 ± 1.90) mV. Pae loaded GL micelles showed a nearly spherical shape under TEM. Drug release of micelles demonstrated a delayed drug release compared to Pae solution. The single-pass intestinal perfusion study showed a significantly higher permeability of Pae in duodenum (P < 0.05), jejunum (P < 0.05), ileum (P < 0.01) and colon (P < 0.01) intestine after perfusion of Pae loaded GL micelles as compared to Pae solution. The in vivo pharmacokinetics demonstrated that the Cmax and AUC0-t values of Pae loaded GL micelles were approximately 2.18- and 3.64-fold superior than the Pae solution. CONCLUSION: These results suggested GL could be a potential carrier for the oral delivery of Pae.
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