The powder modification technology was used to improve the powder properties and microstructure of Dioscoreae Rhizoma extract powder, thereby solving the problem of poor solubility of Dioscoreae Rhizoma formula granules. The influence of modifier dosage and grinding time on the solubility of Dioscoreae Rhizoma extract powder was investigated with the solubility as the evaluation index, and the optimal modification process was selected. The particle size, fluidity, specific surface area, and other powder properties of Dioscoreae Rhizoma extract powder before and after modification were compared. At the same time, the changes in the microstructure before and after modification was observed by scanning electron microscope, and the modification principle was explored by combining with multi-light scatterer. The results showed that after adding lactose for powder modification, the solubility of Dioscoreae Rhizoma extract powder was significantly improved. The volume of insoluble substance in the liquid of modified Dioscoreae Rhizoma extract powder obtained by the optimal modification process was reduced from 3.8 mL to 0 mL, and the particles obtained by dry granulation of the modified powder could be completely dissolved within 2 min after being exposed to water, without affecting the content of its indicator components adenosine and allantoin. After modification, the particle size of Dioscoreae Rhizoma extract powder decreased significantly, d_(0.9) decreased from(77.55±4.57) μm to(37.91±0.42) μm, the specific surface area and porosity increased, and the hydrophilicity improved. The main mechanism of improving the solubility of Dioscoreae Rhizoma formula granules was the destruction of the "coating membrane" structure on the surface of starch granules and the dispersion of water-soluble excipients. This study introduced powder modification technology to solve the solubility problem of Dioscoreae Rhizoma formula granules, which provided data support for the improvement of product quality and technical references for the improvement of solubility of other similar varieties.
Powders ; Solubility ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; Technology ; Plant Extracts ; Particle Size

Objective:To prepare PLGA nanoparticles loaded with Der f 1/IGF-1（Der f 1/IGF-1 NPs） and investigate their role in promoting the formation of Treg cells. Methods:NPs coated with Der f 1/IGF-1 were prepared by double emulsion method and their physicochemical properties and cumulative release rate in vitro were analyzed. After pretreatment, BMDC was divided into Saline group, Blank NPs group, Der f 1/IGF-1 group and Der f 1/IGF-1 NPs group. Determination of the expression of IL-10 and TGF-β in BMDC by ELISA. The number of Treg cells was detected by flow cytometry. Results:The results showed that Der f 1/IGF-1 NPs were spherical structures, with good dispersion, particle size less than 200 nm, negative charge and stable slow-release effect of Zeta potential. After BMDC pretreatment, the expression levels of TGF-β and IL-10 in BMDC cells in the Der f 1/IGF-1 NPs group were significantly increased compared with the Blank NPs group, and the difference was statistically significant（P<0.001）. After co-culture with CD4+ T cells, the proportion of Treg cells produced in the Der f 1/IGF-1 NPs group was significantly increased, and the difference was statistically significant（P<0.001）. Conclusion:Der f 1/IGF-1 NPs can induce Treg cell generation in vitro. This study provides a new and more effective method for the reconstruction of immune tolerance dysfunction.
Humans ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism* ; Interleukin-10/metabolism* ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; Nanoparticles/chemistry* ; Particle Size ; Drug Carriers/chemistry*

Flavonoids have been reported to possess significant pharmacological activities,such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. However, the low solubility and low bioavailability limits their clinical application. Nanocrystal technology can solve the delivery problems of flavonoids by reducing particle size, increasing the solubility of insoluble drugs and improving their bioavailability. This article summaries nanosuspension preparation methods and the stabilizers for flavonoid nanocrystals, and reviews the drug delivery routes including oral, Injection and transdermal of flavonoid nanocrystals, to provide information for further research on nanocrystal delivery system of flavonoids.
Flavonoids/pharmacology* ; Pharmaceutical Preparations/chemistry* ; Biological Availability ; Nanoparticles/chemistry* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; Particle Size

This study aims to prepare vitexin albumin nanoparticles(VT-BSA-NPs) to alleviate the low bioavailability of vitexin(VT) in vivo due to its poor water solubility. VT micro powders were prepared by the antisolvent crystallization method, and the morphology, size, and physicochemical properties of VT micro powders were studied. The results showed that the VT micro powder had a particle size of(187.13±7.15) nm, an approximate spherical morphology, and a uniform size distribution. Compared with VT, the chemical structure of VT micro powders has not changed. VT-BSA-NPs were prepared from VT micro powders by desolvation-crosslinking curing method. The preparation process was screened by single factor test and orthogonal test, and the quality evaluation of the optimal prescription particle size, PDI, Zeta potential, EE, and morphology was performed. The results showed that the average particle size of VT-BSA-NPs was(124.33±0.47) nm; the PDI was 0.184±0.012; the Zeta potential was(-48.83±2.20) mV, and the encapsulation rate was 83.43%±0.39%, all of which met the formulation-related requirements. The morphological results showed that the VT-BSA-NPs were approximately spherical in appearance, regular in shape, and without adhesion on the surface. In vitro release results showed a significantly reduced release rate of VT-BSA-NPs compared with VT, indicating a good sustained release effect. LC-MS/MS was used to establish an analytical method for in vivo analysis of VT and study the plasma pharmacokinetics of VT-BSA-NPs in rats. The results showed that the specificity of the analytical method was good, and the extraction recovery was more than 90%. Compared with VT and VT micro powders, VT-BSA-NPs could significantly increase AUC, MRT, and t_(1/2), which was beneficial to improve the bioavailability of VT.
Rats ; Animals ; Serum Albumin, Bovine/chemistry* ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Nanoparticles/chemistry* ; Particle Size ; Drug Carriers/chemistry*

The effective components of flavonoids in the "Pueraria lobata-Hovenia dulcis" drug pair have low bioavailability in vivo due to their unstable characteristics. This study used microemulsions with amphoteric carrier properties to solve this problem. The study drew pseudo-ternary phase diagrams through titration compatibility experiments of the oil phase with emulsifiers and co-emulsifiers and screened the prescription composition of blank microemulsions. The study used average particle size and PDI as evaluation indicators, and the central composite design-response surface method(CCD-RSM) was used to optimize the prescription; high-dosage drug-loaded microemulsions were obtained, and their physicochemical properties, appearance, and stability were evaluated. The results showed that when ethyl butyrate was used as the oil phase, polysorbate 80(tween 80) as the surfactant, and anhydrous ethanol as the cosurfactant, the maximum microemulsion area was obtained. When the difference in results was small, K_(m )of 1∶4 was chosen to ensure the safety of the prescription. The prescription composition optimized by the CCD-RSM was ethyl butyrate(16.28%), tween 80(9.59%), and anhydrous ethanol(38.34%). When the dosage reached 3% of the system mass, the total flavonoid microemulsion prepared had a clear and transparent appearance, with average particle size, PDI, and potential of(74.25±1.58)nm, 0.277±0.043, and(-0.08±0.07) mV, respectively. The microemulsion was spherical and evenly distributed under transmission electron microscopy. The centrifugal stability and temperature stability were good, and there was no layering or demulsification phenomenon, which significantly improved the in vitro dissolution of total flavonoids.
Polysorbates/chemistry* ; Flavonoids ; Pueraria ; Surface-Active Agents/chemistry* ; Ethanol ; Emulsions ; Particle Size ; Solubility

The pollution and health effects of indoor inhalable particulate matter (PM₁₀) and fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) are increasingly receiving public attention. The"Standards for indoor air quality (GB/T 18883-2022)"has revised the standard limit for PM₁₀ and added the standard limit for PM_2.5. This study analyzed and interpreted the relevant technical contents of the revision of the standard limits for two indicators, including the exposure status, health effects, and the basis for the determination of the limit value. It also proposed prospects for the future development and revision of standard limits for indoor particulate matters.
Humans ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; Air Pollution, Indoor ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Particle Size ; Environmental Monitoring ; China ; Air Pollution

The pollution and health effects of indoor inhalable particulate matter (PM₁₀) and fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) are increasingly receiving public attention. The"Standards for indoor air quality (GB/T 18883-2022)"has revised the standard limit for PM₁₀ and added the standard limit for PM_2.5. This study analyzed and interpreted the relevant technical contents of the revision of the standard limits for two indicators, including the exposure status, health effects, and the basis for the determination of the limit value. It also proposed prospects for the future development and revision of standard limits for indoor particulate matters.
Humans ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; Air Pollution, Indoor ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Particle Size ; Environmental Monitoring ; China ; Air Pollution

A new quercetin nanocrystals self-stabilized Pickering emulsion(QT-NSSPE) was prepared by high-pressure homogenization combined with probe ultrasonic method. The influences of oil fraction, quercetin(QT) concentration, and pH of water phase on the formation of QT-NSSPE were investigated. On this basis, the QT-NSSPE prepared under optimal conditions was evaluated in terms of microstructure, stability, and in vitro release and the droplet size and drug loading were 15.82 μm and 4.87 mg·mL~(-1), respectively. The shell structure formed by quercetin nanocrystals(QT-NC) on the emulsion droplet surface was observed under a scanning electron microscope(SEM). X-ray diffraction(XRD) showed that the crystallinity of adsorbed QT-NC decreased significantly as compared with the raw QT. There were not significant changes of QT-NSSPE properties after 30 days of storage at room temperature. The in vitro release experiment confirmed that QT-NSSPE has a higher accumulative release rate than the raw QT. All these results indicated that QT-NSSPE has a great stability and a satisfactory in vitro release behavior, which is a promising new oral delivery system for QT.
Emulsions/chemistry* ; Nanoparticles ; Particle Size ; Quercetin ; Water/chemistry*

The optimal prescription of tanshinone Ⅱ_A(TSN)-glycyrrhetinic acid(GA) solid lipid nanoparticles(GT-SLNs) was explored and evaluated in vivo and in vitro, and its effect on acne after oral administration was investigated. The preparation processing and prescription were optimized and verified by single factor and response surface methodology. The in vitro release of GA and TSN in GT-SLNs was determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography(UPLC). The effect of GT-SLNs on acne was investigated by the levels of sex hormones in mice, ear swelling model, and tissue changes in sebaceous glands, and the pharmacokinetics was evaluated. The 24-hour cumulative release rates of GA and TSN in SLNs were 65.87%±5.63% and 36.13%±2.31% respectively. After oral administration of GT-SLNs and the mixture of GA and TSN(GT-Mix), the AUC_(0-t) and AUC_(0-∞) of TSN in GT-SLNs were 1.98 times and 4.77 times those in the GT-Mix group, respectively, and the peak concentration of TSN in the GT-SLNs group was 17.2 times that in the GT-Mix group. After intragastric administration of GT-SLNs, the serum levels of testosterone(T) and the ratio of testosterone to estradiol(T/E2) in the GT-SLNs group significantly declined, and the sebaceous glands of mice were atrophied to a certain extent. The results demonstrated that obtained GT-SLNs with good encapsulation efficiency and uniform particle size could promote the release of GA and TSN. GT-SLNs displayed therapeutic efficacy on acne manifested by androgen increase, abnormal sebaceous gland secretion, and inflammatory damage.
Abietanes ; Acne Vulgaris/drug therapy* ; Animals ; Drug Carriers ; Glycyrrhetinic Acid ; Liposomes ; Mice ; Nanoparticles ; Particle Size ; Testosterone

In view of the longevity and innate immune escape of red blood cells, this study designed the red blood cell membrane-coated paclitaxel nanosuspension [RBC-(PTX)NS] and investigated its physicochemical properties and antitumor effect in vitro. Paclitaxel nanosuspension [(PTX)NS] was prepared by ultrasonic precipitation and then RBC-(PTX)NS by ultrasonic coating. The formulation of(PTX)NS was optimized with Box-Behnken method and indexes of particle diameter, zeta potential, and stability. The morphology, particle diameter, stability, in vitro dissolution, and antitumor effect of(PTX)NS and RBC-(PTX)NS were characterized. The results showed that the particle diameter and zeta potential were(129.38±0.92) nm and(-22.41±0.48) mV, respectively, for the optimized(PTX)NS, while(142.5±0.68) nm and(-29.85±0.53) mV, respectively, for RBC-(PTX)NS. Under the transmission electron microscope,(PTX)NS was spherical and RBC-(PTX)NS had obvious core-shell structure. RBC-(PTX)NS remained stable for 5 days at 4 ℃. The in vitro dissolution test demonstrated that the cumulative release rate of RBC-(PTX)NS reached 79% within 20 min, which was significantly higher than that(25%) of(PTX)NS(P<0.05). As evidenced by MTT assay, RBC-(PTX)NS highly inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The cell membrane-coated nano-preparation preparation method is simple and reproducible. It improves the solubility of PTX and endows RBC-(PTX)NS with higher stability and stronger cytotoxicity. Thus, it is a new method for the delivery of PTX via nanocrystallization.
Erythrocyte Membrane ; Nanoparticles/chemistry* ; Paclitaxel/pharmacology* ; Particle Size ; Suspensions