• Design, Optimization, and Evaluation of a Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System (SNEDDS) for Oral Delivery of Parsley n-Hexane Fraction Utilizing Coconut Oil as the Oil Phase

  • Edwin J. Bunggulawa, Yeong-kwan Lee*, **, and Yong-kyu Lee*, **,†

  • Department of Green Bioengineering, Korea National University of Transportation, Chungju 27470, Korea
    *Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Korea National University of Transportation, Chungju 27470, Korea
    **4D Convergence Technology Institute, Korea National University of Transportation, Jeungpyeong 27909, Korea

  • 코코넛오일을 유상상으로 활용한 파슬리 n-헥산 분획의 경구 전달용 자기나노유화약물전달시스템(SNEDDS)의 설계, 최적화 및 평가

  • 에드윈제이카붕굴라와 · 이영관*, ** · 이용규*, **,†

  • 국립한국교통대학교 녹색바이오공학과, *국립한국교통대학교 화공생물공학과, **국립한국교통대학교 4D 바이오용합소재 산업화센터

  • Reproduction, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form of any part of this publication is permitted only by written permission from the Polymer Society of Korea.

Abstract

Herbal medicines are widely recognized for their therapeutic potential, yet the poor aqueous solubility of many active compounds often limits their bioavailability. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum), a readily available plant, is rich in bioactive metabolites with medicinal properties. This study aimed to enhance the bioavailability of parsley's n-hexane fraction by formulating a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS). Coconut oil, a natural pharmaceutical excipient, served as the oil phase. The formulation was optimized using Design-Expert® 8.0.6 software, with droplet size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential as critical parameters. The optimized SNEDDS exhibited superior nanoemulsion properties, including an ultrafine droplet size (12.15 nm), low PDI (0.178), and a stable surface charge (-21.22 mV). Stability studies confirmed excellent thermodynamic and kinetic stability. Moreover, in vitro drug release demonstrated a biphasic release profile, achieving 100% release within 420 minutes. These results confirm the successful development of a stable SNEDDS with desirable nanoemulsion properties. The formulation offers a promising strategy to improve the bioavailability of parsley metabolites, presenting a potential platform for oral delivery of herbal compounds.


한약은 치료 효과가 뛰어난 것으로 널리 알려져 있으나, 많은 유효 성분들의 낮은 수용성으로 인해 생체이용률이 제한되는 경우가 많다. 파슬리(Petroselinum crispum)는 의약적 효능을 지닌 생리활성 물질이 풍부한 식물로, 본 연구에서는 파슬리 n-헥산 분획의 생체이용률을 향상시키기 위해 자기나노유화약물전달시스템(self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system, SNEDDS)을 개발하였다. 코코넛오일을 유상상으로 활용하였으며, Design-Expert® 8.0.6 소프트웨어를 이용하여 평균 유효 입자 크기, 분산지수(PDI), 제타 전위를 최적화 지표로 설정하여 SNEDDS 제형을 최적화하였다. 최적화된 SNEDDS는 평균 입자 크기 12.15 nm, PDI 0.178, 제타 전위 -21.22 mV로 우수한 나노에멀전 특성을 나타냈다. 열역학적 및 운동학적 안정성 시험에서도 높은 안정성을 보였으며, in vitro 방출 시험에서는 420분 이내에 100% 방출되는 이중 상 방출(biphasic release) 양상을 보였다. 본 연구를 통해 우수한 나노유화 특성을 가진 안정한 SNEDDS 제형을 성공적으로 개발하였으며, 이는 파슬리 유효 성분의 경구 전달을 위한 효과적인 플랫폼으로 활용될 수 있음을 시사한다.


Keywords: self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system, parsley (Petroselinum crispum), coconut oil, oral delivery.

  • Polymer(Korea) 폴리머
  • Frequency : Bimonthly(odd)
    ISSN 2234-8077(Online)
    Abbr. Polym. Korea
  • 2023 Impact Factor : 0.4
  • Indexed in SCIE

This Article

  • 2025; 49(3): 375-385

    Published online May 25, 2025

  • 10.7317/pk.2025.49.3.375
  • Received on Jan 14, 2025
  • Revised on Jan 24, 2025
  • Accepted on Jan 29, 2025

Correspondence to

  • Yong-kyu Lee

  • *Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Korea National University of Transportation, Chungju 27470, Korea
    **4D Convergence Technology Institute, Korea National University of Transportation, Jeungpyeong 27909, Korea

  • E-mail: leeyk@ut.ac.kr