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Researchers developed a novel drug delivery system for Baicalein, a poorly water-soluble antioxidant compound, using fish oil extracted from salmon waste as a carrier in liquisolid compacts. The formulation significantly improved Baicalein's dissolution rate and antioxidant activity by converting the crystalline drug into an amorphous or molecularly dispersed state. Physicochemical analyses confirmed no chemical incompatibilities and demonstrated reduced crystallinity compared to pure Baicalein.
Why it matters
This approach addresses two challenges simultaneously: improving the oral bioavailability of a therapeutically valuable flavonoid and repurposing fish processing waste into functional pharmaceutical ingredients. The sustainable formulation strategy could enhance delivery of other poorly soluble drugs while reducing marine waste.
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by Ruba Malkawi
Background
Baicalein (BA) is a flavonoid with significant pharmacological and antioxidant activities; however, its poor aqueous solubility and high crystallinity limit its dissolution and oral bioavailability. Liquisolid compact technology represents a promising approach for improving the dissolution behavior of poorly soluble drugs.
Objective
This study aimed to develop a sustainable liquisolid compact formulation of BA using extracted fish viscera oil as a non-volatile solvent and to evaluate its physicochemical characteristics, dissolution behavior, and antioxidant activity.
Methods
Fish oil was extracted from salmon viscera and used as a liquid vehicle for preparing BA liquisolid compacts using corn starch as a carrier and talc as a coating material. The prepared formulation was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Powder X-Ray Diffraction (PXRD) to evaluate drug–excipient interactions and changes in crystallinity. In vitro dissolution studies were conducted using USP apparatus II in phosphate buffer (pH 6.8). Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH radical scavenging assay in a 96-well microplate reader.
Results
FTIR analysis confirmed the absence of chemical incompatibilities between BA and the formulation components. DSC and PXRD analyses demonstrated a significant reduction in the crystalline nature of BA, indicating its transformation into an amorphous or molecularly dispersed state within the liquisolid compact. The liquisolid compact showed a marked improvement in drug dissolution compared with pure baicalein and the physical mixture. Furthermore, the fish oil–BA formulation exhibited enhanced antioxidant activity compared with BA alone.
Conclusion
The developed fish oil–based liquisolid compact system significantly improved the dissolution and antioxidant performance of BA. In addition, the use of fish viscera oil provides a sustainable formulation approach by repurposing marine waste into a functional pharmaceutical excipient.