Comparison of the oral bioavailability of silymarin-loaded lipid nanoparticles with their artificial lipolysate counterparts: implications on the contribution of integral structure

Lipid-Based Delivery Systems for Flavonoids and Flavonolignans: Liposomes, Nanoemulsions, and Solid Lipid Nanoparticles

Herbal chemicals with a long history in medicine have attracted a lot of attention. Flavonolignans and flavonoids are considered as two classes of the above-mentioned compounds with different functional groups which exhibit several therapeutic capabilities such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anticancer activities. Based on the studies, high hydrophobic properties of the aforementioned compounds limit their bioavailability inside the human body and restrict their wide application. Nanoscale formulations such as solid lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, and other types of lipid-based delivery systems have been introduced to overcome the above-mentioned challenges. This approach allows the aforementioned hydrophobic therapeutic compounds to be encapsulated between hydrophobic structures, resulting in improving their bioavailability. The above-mentioned enhanced delivery system improves delivery to the targeted sites and reduces the daily required dosage. Lowering the required daily dose improves the performance of the drug by diminishing its side effects on non-targeted tissues. The present study aims to highlight the recent improvements in implementing lipid-based nanocarriers to deliver flavonolignans and flavonoids.

Silymarin nanocrystals-laden chondroitin sulphate-based thermoreversible hydrogels; A promising approach for bioavailability enhancement

Hydrogels has gained tremendous interest as a controlled release drug delivery. However, currently it is a big challenge to attain high drug-loading as well as stable and sustained release of hydrophobic drugs. The poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability of many drugs have driven the need for research in new formulations. This manuscript hypothesized that incorporation of nanocrystals of hydrophobic drug, such as silymarin into thermoreversible hydrogel could be a solution to these problems. Herein, we prepared nanocrystals of silymarin by antisolvent precipitation technique and characterized for morphology, particle size, polydispersity index (PDI) and zeta potential. Moreover, physical cross-linking of hydrogel formulations based on chondroitin sulphate (CS), kappa-Carrageenan (κ-Cr) and Pluronic® F127 was confirmed by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The hydrogel gelation time and temperature of optimized hydrogel was 14 ± 3.2 s and 34 ± 0.6 °C, respectively. The release data revealed controlled release of silymarin up to 48 h and in-vivo pharmacokinetic profiling was done in rabbits and further analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). It is believed that the nanocrystals loaded thermoreversible injectable hydrogel system fabricated in this study provides high drug loading as well as controlled and stable release of hydrophobic drug for extended period.

Micelle silymarin supplementation to sows' diet from day 109 of gestation to entire lactation period enhances reproductive performance and affects serum hormones and metabolites

The aim of the present study was to explore the influences of varying doses of micelle silymarin (0%, 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.2%) supplementation on sows' feed intake, milk yields, serum hormones, and litter growth using 40 multiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire, parity from 3 to 5) from the 109th prenatal day to the 21st postnatal day. Each treatment included 10 sows and each sow was used as an experimental unit. On weaning day, litter weight and litter weight gain were linearly improved (P < 0.01, both), corresponding to the increasing dose of silymarin micelle in the diet. Also, litter weight, litter weight gain, and average daily gain (ADG) of piglets born to treated sows exceeded (P < 0.05) those of offspring from the control sows (0% micelle silymarin). Feed intake in week 1, week 2, and the entire lactation period was increased (linear, P < 0.01) as micelle silymarin dose increased. Body weight (BW) loss of sows during lactation was linearly reduced (P = 0.003) with the increasing amounts of micelle silymarin. Average daily milk yields during lactation were also linearly increased (P = 0.002) in treated sows, exceeding (P = 0.046) that of control sows. Also, uniform increases were observed (P = 0.037) in fat content in milk produced by treated sows on day 14 of lactation. Epinephrine concentrations and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity in sow serum on day 21 postpartum were linearly declined (P = 0.010) as micelle silymarin dose increased, and were both declined (P < 0.05) in treated sows compared with the control. In addition, treated sows' serum had higher activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) at parturition and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), lower oxidized glutathione (GSSG) concentrations, and GSSG/GSH (glutathione) ratio (all, P < 0.01) on day 21 of lactation. Moreover, offspring from micelle silymarin-treated sows tended to (0.05 < P <0.1) have higher serum catalase (CAT) activity and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) concentrations. Taken together, the results showed that sows fed increasing levels of micelle silymarin from the 109th prenatal day to the 21st postnatal day had an incremental dose-dependent effect on higher feed intake, diminished BW loss, greater milk yields, and greater litter weight at weaning, and 0.2% of micelle silymarin could be optimal to achieve the better effect.

Oral delivery of solid lipid nanoparticles: underlining the physicochemical characteristics and physiological condition affecting the lipolysis rate

INTRODUCTION

Lipid-based nano-drug delivery systems (LBNDDSs) have gained widespread attention in oral drug delivery due to their tunable and versatile properties such as biocompatibility and biodegradability, which makes them promising delivery systems for a variety of therapeutics. Currently, different types of LBNDDSs including liposomes, micelles, nanoemulsions, and solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are developed for drug delivery applications. SLNs can be used as a controlled drug delivery system for oral delivery applications. However, its lipidic context makes that susceptible to lipolysis. The lipolysis rate of SLNs is affected by many factors that raise many questions for developing a more efficient delivery system.

AREAS COVERED

In the present work, we highlighted different factors affecting the digestion rate/level of SLNs in the gastrointestinal tract. This paper can be most useful for those researchers who are keen to develop a properly controlled drug delivery system based on SLNs for oral delivery applications.

EXPERT OPINION

SLNs can be used as a controlled drug delivery system for oral delivery applications. However, its lipidic context makes that susceptible to lipolysis. The lipolysis rate of SLNs is affected by many factors that raise many questions for developing a more efficient delivery system.

Systematic review of pharmacokinetics and potential pharmacokinetic interactions of flavonolignans from silymarin

Silymarin is an extract from the seeds (fruits) of Silybum marianum that contains flavonolignans and flavonoids. Although it is frequently used as a hepatoprotective agent, its application remains somewhat debatable, in particular, due to the low oral bioavailability of flavonolignans. Moreover, there are claims of its potential interactions with concomitantly used drugs. This review aims at a systematic summary and critical assessment of known information on the pharmacokinetics of particular silymarin flavonolignans. There are two known major reasons for poor systemic oral bioavailability of flavonolignans: (1) rapid conjugation in intestinal cells or the liver and (2) efflux of parent flavonolignans or formed conjugates back to the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract by intestinal cells and rapid excretion by the liver into the bile. The metabolism of phase I appears to play a minor role, in contrast to extensive conjugation and indeed the unconjugated flavonolignans reach low plasma levels after common doses. Only about 1%-5% of the administered dose is eliminated by the kidneys. Many in vitro studies tested the inhibitory potential of silymarin and its components toward different enzymes and transporters involved in the absorption, metabolism, and excretion of xenobiotics. In most cases, effective concentrations are too high to be relevant under real biological conditions. Most human studies showed no silymarin-drug interactions explainable by these suggested interferences. More interactions were found in animal studies, likely due to the much higher doses administered.

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery: Pharmacological and Biopharmaceutical Aspects

In the golden age of pharmaceutical nanocarriers, we are witnessing a maturation stage of the original concepts and ideas. There is no doubt that nanoformulations are extremely valuable tools for drug delivery applications; the current challenge is how to optimize them to ensure that they are safe, effective and scalable, so that they can be manufactured at an industrial level and advance to clinical use. In this context, lipid nanoparticles have gained ground, since they are generally regarded as non-toxic, biocompatible and easy-to-produce formulations. Pharmaceutical applications of lipid nanocarriers are a burgeoning field for the transport and delivery of a diversity of therapeutic agents, from biotechnological products to small drug molecules. This review starts with a brief overview of the characteristics of solid lipid nanoparticles and discusses the relevancy of performing systematic preformulation studies. The main applications, as well as the advantages that this type of nanovehicles offers in certain therapeutic scenarios are discussed. Next, pharmacokinetic aspects are described, such as routes of administration, absorption after oral administration, distribution in the organism (including brain penetration) and elimination processes. Safety and toxicity issues are also addressed. Our work presents an original point of view, addressing the biopharmaceutical aspects of these nanovehicles by means of descriptive statistics of the state-of-the-art of solid lipid nanoparticles research. All the presented results, trends, graphs and discussions are based in a systematic (and reproducible) bibliographic search that considered only original papers in the subject, covering a 7 years range (2013-today), a period that accounts for more than 60% of the total number of publications in the topic in the main bibliographic databases and search engines. Focus was placed on the therapeutic fields of application, absorption and distribution processes and current efforts for the translation into the clinical practice of lipid-based nanoparticles. For this, the currently active clinical trials on lipid nanoparticles were reviewed, with a brief discussion on what achievements or milestones are still to be reached, as a way of understanding the reasons for the scarce number of solid lipid nanoparticles undergoing clinical trials.

Plant-Based Antidiabetic Nanoformulations: The Emerging Paradigm for Effective Therapy

Diabetes mellitus is a life-threatening metabolic syndrome. Over the past few decades, the incidence of diabetes has climbed exponentially. Several therapeutic approaches have been undertaken, but the occurrence and risk still remain unabated. Several plant-derived small molecules have been proposed to be effective against diabetes and associated vascular complications via acting on several therapeutic targets. In addition, the biocompatibility of these phytochemicals increasingly enhances the interest of exploiting them as therapeutic negotiators. However, poor pharmacokinetic and biopharmaceutical attributes of these phytochemicals largely restrict their clinical usefulness as therapeutic agents. Several pharmaceutical attempts have been undertaken to enhance their compliance and therapeutic efficacy. In this regard, the application of nanotechnology has been proven to be the best approach to improve the compliance and clinical efficacy by overturning the pharmacokinetic and biopharmaceutical obstacles associated with the plant-derived antidiabetic agents. This review gives a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the nanoformulations of phytochemicals in the management of diabetes and associated complications. The effects of nanosizing on pharmacokinetic, biopharmaceutical and therapeutic profiles of plant-derived small molecules, such as curcumin, resveratrol, naringenin, quercetin, apigenin, baicalin, luteolin, rosmarinic acid, berberine, gymnemic acid, emodin, scutellarin, catechins, thymoquinone, ferulic acid, stevioside, and others have been discussed comprehensively in this review.

Biological fate of ingested lipid-based nanoparticles: current understanding and future directions

In recent decades, lipid-based nanoparticles (LN) have received considerable attention as nanoscale delivery systems to improve oral bioavailability of poorly absorbed bioactive compounds for health promotion and disease prevention. However, scientific studies on the biological fate of orally administered LN are very limited and the molecular mechanisms by which they are absorbed through the intestinal lumen into the circulation remain unclear. This paper aims to provide an overview of the biological fate of orally administered LN by reviewing recent studies on both cell and animal models. In general, the biological fate of ingested LN in the gastrointestinal tract is primarily determined by their initial physicochemical characteristics (such as the particle size, surface properties, composition and structure), and their absorption mainly occurs within the small intestine. In particular, depending upon the composition, LN can be either digestible or indigestible, with two distinct biological fates for each type of LN. The detailed absorption mechanisms and uptake pathways at molecular, cellular and whole body levels for each type of LN are discussed in detail. Limitations of current research and our vision for future directions to study the biological fate of ingested LN are also provided in this critical review.

Formulation Strategies for Enhancing the Bioavailability of Silymarin: The State of the Art

Silymarin, a mixture of flavonolignan and flavonoid polyphenolic compounds extractable from milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seeds, has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-viral activities potentially useful in the treatment of several liver disorders, such as chronic liver diseases, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Equally promising are the effects of silymarin in protecting the brain from the inflammatory and oxidative stress effects by which metabolic syndrome contributes to neurodegenerative diseases. However, although clinical trials have proved that silymarin is safe at high doses (>1500 mg/day) in humans, it suffers limiting factors such as low solubility in water (<50 μg/mL), low bioavailability and poor intestinal absorption. To improve its bioavailability and provide a prolonged silymarin release at the site of absorption, the use of nanotechnological strategies appears to be a promising method to potentiate the therapeutic action and promote sustained release of the active herbal extract. The purpose of this study is to review the different nanostructured systems available in literature as delivery strategies to improve the absorption and bioavailability of silymarin.

Solid lipid matrix mediated nanoarchitectonics for improved oral bioavailability of drugs

Introduction: Solid matrix mediated lipid nanoparticle formulations (LNFs) retain some of the best features of ideal drug carriers necessary for improving the oral absorption and bioavailability (BA) of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. LNFs with solid matrices may be typically categorized into three major types of formulations, viz., solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) and lipid-drug conjugate nanoparticles (LDC-NPs). Solid matrix based LNFs are, potentially, the most appropriate delivery systems for poorly water soluble drugs in need of improved drug solubility, permeability, absorption, or increased oral BA. In addition, LNFs as matrices are able to encapsulate both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs in a single matrix based on their excellent ability to form cores and shells. Interestingly, LNFs also act as delivery devices to impart chemical stability to various orally administered drugs. Areas covered: Aim of the review is to forecast the presentation of pharmacokinetic characteristics of solid lipid matrix based nanocarriers which are typically biocompatible, biodegradable and non-toxic carrier systems for efficient oral delivery of various drugs. Efficient delivery is broadly mediated by the fact that lipophilic drugs are readily soluble in lipidic substrates that are capable of permeating across the gut epithelium following oral administration, subsequently delivering the moiety of interest more efficiently across the gut mucosal membrane. This enhances the overall BA of many drugs facing oral delivery challenges by improving their pharmacokinetic profile. This article specifically focuses on the biopharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic aspects of such solid lipid matrix based nanoformulations and possible mechanisms for better drug absorption and improved BA following oral administration. It also briefly reviews methods to access the efficacy of LNFs for improving oral BA of drugs, regulatory aspects and some interesting lipid-derived commercial formulations, with a concluding remark. Expert opinion: LNFs enhance the overall BA of many drugs facing oral delivery challenges by improving their pharmacokinetic profile.

Potential of Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs and NLCs) in Enhancing Oral Bioavailability of Drugs with Poor Intestinal Permeability

Lipid-based drug delivery systems has become a popular choice for oral delivery of lipophilic drugs with dissolution rate limited oral absorption. Lipids are known to enhance oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs in multiple ways like facilitating dissolution as micellar solution, enhancing the lymphatic uptake and acting as inhibitors of efflux transporters. Lipid nanoparticles are matrix type lipid-based carrier systems which can effectively encapsulate both lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs. Lipid nanoparticles namely solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) are versatile drug delivery system and can be used for multiple routes of delivery like parenteral, topical, ocular, transdermal, and oral. Lipid nanoparticles are particularly attractive vehicles for peroral delivery of drugs with oral bioavailability problems as they are composed of lipid excipients which are cheap, easily available, and non-toxic; manufacturing technique is simple and readily scalable for large-scale production; the formulations provide controlled release of active components and have no stability issue. A large number of drugs have been incorporated into lipid nanoparticles with the objective of overcoming their poor oral bioavailability. This review tries to assess the potential of lipid nanoparticles for enhancing the oral bioavailability of drugs with permeability limited oral absorption such as drugs belonging to class IV of Biopharmaceutic Classification System (BCS) and protein and peptide drugs and also discusses the mechanism behind the bioavailability enhancement and safety issues related to such delivery systems.

Solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers as novel drug delivery systems: applications, advantages and disadvantages

During the recent years, more attentions have been focused on lipid base drug delivery system to overcome some limitations of conventional formulations. Among these delivery systems solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) are promising delivery systems due to the ease of manufacturing processes, scale up capability, biocompatibility, and also biodegradability of formulation constituents and many other advantages which could be related to specific route of administration or nature of the materials are to be loaded to these delivery systems. The aim of this article is to review the advantages and limitations of these delivery systems based on the route of administration and to emphasis the effectiveness of such formulations.

Enhanced antifungal activity of voriconazole-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers against Candida albicans with a dimorphic switching model

Candida commonly adheres to implanted medical devices and forms biofilms. Due to the minimal activity of current antifungals against biofilms, new drugs or drug-delivery systems to treat these persistent infections are urgently needed. In the present investigation, voriconazole-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (Vrc-NLCs) were formulated for enhanced drug-delivery efficiency to C. albicans to increase the antifungal activity of Vrc and to improve the treatment of infectious Candida diseases. Vrc-NLCs were prepared by a hot-melt, high-pressure homogenization method, and size distribution, ζ-potential, morphology, drug-encapsulation efficiency, drug loading, and physical stability were characterized. The antifungal activity of Vrc-NLCs in vitro was tested during planktonic and biofilm growth in C. albicans. The mean particle size of the Vrc-NLCs was 45.62±0.53 nm, and they exhibited spheroid-like morphology, smooth surfaces, and ζ-potential of -0.69±0.03 mV. Encapsulation efficiency and drug loading of Vrc-NLCs were 75.37%±2.65% and 3.77%±0.13%, respectively. Physical stability results revealed that despite the low measured ζ-potential, the dispersion of the Vrc-NLCs was stable during their 3-week storage at 4°C. The minimum inhibitory concentration of Vrc-NLCs was identical to that of Vrc. However, the inhibition rate of Vrc-NLCs at lower concentrations was significantly higher than that of Vrc during planktonic growth in C. albicans in yeast-extract peptone dextrose medium. Surprisingly, Vrc-NLCs treatment reduced cell density in biofilm growth in C. albicans and induced more switches form hyphal cells to yeast cells compared with Vrc treatment. In conclusion, Vrc-NLCs maintain antifungal activity of Vrc and increase antifungal drug-delivery efficiency to C. albicans. Therefore, Vrc-NLCs will greatly contribute to the treatment of infectious diseases caused by C. albicans.

In Vivo Fate of Biomimetic Mixed Micelles as Nanocarriers for Bioavailability Enhancement of Lipid-Drug Conjugates

The transformation of lipid-based nanovehicles into mixed micelles (MMs) upon lipolysis plays an indispensable role in enhancement of the oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. Therefore, this study employs biomimetic MMs as functional vehicles to enhance the oral bioavailability of the lipid conjugates of a model drug silybin. The main objective is to explore the in vivo fate and underlying mechanisms of facilitated absorption by MMs. Pharmacokinetics in rats indicate bioavailability enhancement by 7-9 folds as compared to a fast-release silybin solid dispersion formulation. Confocal laser scanning microscopy reveals evidence of cellular uptake of integral MMs into the cytoplasm of both Caco-2 and Caco-2/HT29-MTX coculture cells lines. The recovery of a definite amount of prototype silybin but negligible or traces of lipid-silybin conjugates from the cells, as well as the limited trans-monolayer transport, confirms fast disruption of MMs and fast degradation of the conjugates as well. The MMs survive the gastrointestinal environment with relatively high integrity for about 4 h, and are found accumulating in intestinal villi surface layers in higher density but in lower density to the basolateral tissues. By scanning the organs, a small amount of integral MMs are observed to distribute mainly to the livers with peak time around 4-8 h. The total amount of lymphatic absorption monitored by cannulation is negligible. It is concluded that biomimetic MMs might be taken up by enterocytes and be digested there to release the prototype drug, which is further transported to the circulation, and only a limited amount of integral MMs could be absorbed into the circulation.

Development of solid lipid nanoparticles containing total flavonoid extract from Dracocephalum moldavica L. and their therapeutic effect against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

Total flavonoid extract from Dracocephalum moldavica L. (TFDM) contains effective components of D. moldavica L. that have myocardial protective function. However, the cardioprotection function of TFDM is undesirable due to its poor solubility. In order to improve the solubility and efficacy of TFDM, we developed TFDM-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (TFDM-SLNs) and optimized the formulation of TFDM-SLNs using central composite design and response surface methodology. The physicochemical properties of TFDM-SLNs were characterized, and the pharmacodynamics was investigated using the myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury model in rats. The nanoparticles of optimal formulation for TFDM-SLNs were spherical in shape with the average particle size of 104.83 nm and had a uniform size distribution with the polydispersity index value of 0.201. TFDM-SLNs also had a negative zeta potential of -28.7 mV to ensure the stability of the TFDM-SLNs emulsion system. The results of pharmacodynamics demonstrated that both TFDM and TFDM-SLN groups afforded myocardial protection, and the protective effect of TFDM-SLNs was significantly superior to that of TFDM alone, based on the infarct area, histopathological examination, cardiac enzyme levels and inflammatory factors in serum. Due to the optimal quality and the better myocardial protective effect, TFDM-SLNs are expected to become a safe and effective nanocarrier for the oral delivery of TFDM.

Evidence does not support absorption of intact solid lipid nanoparticles via oral delivery

Whether and to what extent solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) can be absorbed integrally via oral delivery should be clarified because it is the basis for elucidation of absorption mechanisms. To address this topic, the in vivo fate of SLNs as well as their interaction with biomembranes is investigated using water-quenching fluorescent probes that can signal structural variations of lipid-based nanocarriers. Live imaging indicates prolonged retention of SLNs in the stomach, whereas in the intestine, SLNs can be digested quickly. No translocation of intact SLNs to other organs or tissues can be observed. The in situ perfusion study shows bioadhesion of both SLNs and simulated mixed micelles (SMMs) to intestinal mucus, but no evidence of penetration of integral nanocarriers. Both SLNs and SMMs exhibit significant cellular uptake, but fail to penetrate cell monolayers. Confocal laser scanning microscopy reveals that nanocarriers mainly concentrate on the surface of the monolayers, and no evidence of penetration of intact vehicles can be obtained. The mucous layer acts as a barrier to the penetration of both SLNs and SMMs. Both bile salt-decoration and SMM formulation help to strengthen the interaction with biomembranes. It is concluded that evidence does not support absorption of intact SLNs via oral delivery.

Phyto-mediated nanostructured carriers based on dual vegetable actives involved in the prevention of cellular damage

The growing scientific interest in exploitation of vegetable bioactives has raised a number of questions regarding their imminent presence in pharmaceutical formulations. This study intends to demonstrate that a dual combination between vegetable oil (e.g. thistle oil, safflower oil, sea buckthorn oil) and a carrot extract represents an optimal approach to formulate safe carrier systems that manifest cell regeneration effect and promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Inclusion of both natural actives into lipid carriers imparted a strong negative charge on the nanocarrier surface (up to -45mV) and displayed average sizes of 70nm to 140nm. The entrapment efficiency of carrot extract into nanostructured carriers ranged between 78.3 and 88.3%. The in vitro release study has demonstrated that the entrapment of the extract represents a viable way for an equilibrated release of carotenoids. Besides the excellent antioxidant properties (e.g. scavenging up to 98% of the free oxygen radicals), the results of cellular integrity (e.g. cell viability of 133%) recommend these nanocarriers based on dual carrot extract-bioactive oil as a promising trend for the treatment of certain disorders in which oxidative stress plays a prominent role. In addition, the lipid nanocarriers based on safflower oil and sea buckthorn oil demonstrated an anti-inflammatory effect on LPS induced THP-1 macrophages, by inhibiting the secretion of two pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and TNF-α.

Enhanced bioavailability of tripterine through lipid nanoparticles using broccoli-derived lipids as a carrier material

Chemotherapy via the oral route remains a considerable challenge due to poor water-solubility and permeability of anticancer agents. This study aimed to construct lipid nanoparticles using broccoli-derived lipids for oral delivery of tripterine (Tri), a natural anticancer candidate, and to enhance its oral bioavailability. Tri-loaded broccoli lipid nanoparticles (Tri-BLNs) were prepared by a solvent-diffusion method. The resulting Tri-BLNs were 75±10 nm in particle size with entrapment efficiency over 98%. In vitro release study indicated that Tri was almost not released from Tri-BLNs (<2%), whereas the lipolytic experiment showed that Tri-BLNs possessed a relatively strong anti-enzymatic degradation ability to Tri-CLNs (Tri-loaded common lipid nanoparticles). In situ single-pass intestinal perfusion manifested that the effective permeability of Tri-BLNs were significantly higher than that of Tri-CLNs. Further, Tri-BLNs exhibited more efficient cellular uptake in MDCK-II cells as evidenced by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. The relative bioavailability of Tri-BLNs and Tri-CLNs was 494.13% and 281.95% compared with Tri suspensions, respectively. Depending on the ability in enhancement of biomembrane permeability, broccoli-derived lipids as an alternative source should be useful to construct lipid nanoparticles for bettering oral delivery of drugs with low bioavailability.