Preparation, Characterization, and Bioavailability of Ursodeoxycholic Acid–Phospholipid Complex In Vivo

Abstract

The aim of this study was to prepare ursodeoxycholic acid–phospholipid complex (UDCA-PLC) to enhance oral bioavailability of UDCA, and the physicochemical properties of the complex were studied. Compared with those of UDCA tablet after oral administration in rats, the main pharmacokinetic characteristics and bioavailability of UDCA-PLC orally administered were evaluated. Tetrahydrofuran was used as a reaction medium, UDCA and phospholipids were resolved into the medium, and UDCA-PLC was formed after the organic solvent was evaporated off under vacuum condition. The physicochemical properties of the complex were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction, particle size distribution analysis, and n-octanol/water partition coefficient (P) study. The blood concentrations of UDCA-PLC and UDCA tablet at different time points after oral administration in rats were assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after derivatization. The pharmacokinetic parameters were computed by software program 3p87. The X-ray diffraction and DSC studies showed that UDCA and phospholipids in the UDCA-PLC were combined by noncovalent bond, not forming a new compound, and n-octanol/water partition coefficient (P) of UDCA-PLC was effectively enhanced. The mean serum concentration–time curves of UDCA after oral administration of UDCA-PLC and UDCA tablet in rats were both in accordance with open two-compartment model. Pharmacokinetic parameters of UDCA tablet and the PLC in rats were Tmax 1.9144 and 1.5610 h, Cmax 0.0576 and 0.1346 μg/mL, and AUC0–∞ 4.736 and 11.437 μg h/mL, respectively. The bioavailability of UDCA in rats was significantly different (p < .05) compared with those of UDCA tablet after administration. The UDCA-PLC would be more prospective formulation in future.