Aim: To prepare a bergenin-phospholipid complex (BPC) to increase oral bioavailability of the drug.Methods: In order to obtain the acceptable BPC, a spherical symmetric design-response surface methodology was used for process optimization. The influence of reaction medium, temperature, drug concentration and drug-to-phospholipid ratio on the combination percentage and content of bergenin in BPC were evaluated. BPC was then characterized by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high-per-formance liquid chromatography (HPLC), ultra-violet (UV) spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scan-ning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray powder diffraction. The physicochemical properties such as microscopic shape, particle size, zeta-potential, solubility, crystalline form, and hygroscopicity were tested. The pharmacokinetic characteristics and bioavailability of BPC were investigated after oral administration in rats in comparison to bergenin and the physical mixture (bergenin and phospholipids). Results: BPC was successfully prepared under the optimum conditions [temperature=60 °C, drug concentration=80 g/L and drug-to-phospholipids ratio=0.9 (w/w)]. The combination percentage was 100.00%±0.20%, and the content of bergenin in the complex was 45.98%±1.12%. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy of BPC showed spherical particles. The average particle size was 169.2±20.11 nm and the zeta-potential was -21.6±2.4 mV. The solubility of BPC in water and in n-octanol was effec-tively enhanced. The C_(max) and AUC_(0→∞) of BPC were increased, and the relative bioavailability was significantly increased to 439% of bergenin. Conclusion: The BPC is a valuable delivery system to enhance the oral absorption of bergenin.
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