Pinocembrin polymeric micellar drug delivery system: preparation, characterisation and anti-hyperuricemic activity evaluation.

Aim: Hydrophobic pinocembrin (PCB) was incorporated into a new nano-drug delivery system to enhance solubility, bioavailability and anti-hyperuricemic activity of the drug. Methods: We fabricated PCB loaded polymeric micelles (PCB-FPM) by thin film dispersion method and appropriately determined their physical characteristics. The oral relative bioavailability and anti-hyperuricemic activity of PCB-FPM and free PCB were observed. Results: The optimum particle size of the micelles was 19.90   ±   0.93   nm. PCB-FPM exhibited great stability within 18   days, coupled with lower cytotoxicity and higher biocompatibility. Moreover, the percent cumulative release of PCB-FPM was much higher than free PCB in the dissolution media. The oral bioavailability of PCB-FPM was increased by 2.61 times compared with free PCB. Uric acid (UA) level of rats was reduced in PCB-FPM group (200   mg/kg) by 78.82% comparable to the model control. Conclusion: PCB-FPM may become an ideal strategy to increase oral in-vivo availability and anti-hyperuricemic activity of PCB.