Formulations, Hemolytic and Pharmacokinetic Studies on Saikosaponin a and Saikosaponin d Compound Liposomes

The aim of this study was to develop and optimise a saikosaponin a and saikosaponin d compound liposome (SSa-SSd-Lip) formulation with reduced hemolysis and enhanced bioavailability. A screening experiment was done with Plackett–Burman design, and response surface methodology of five factors (EPC/SSa-SSd ratio, EPC/Chol ratio, water temperature, pH of PBS, and ultrasound time) was employed to optimise the mean diameter, entrapment efficiency of SSa and SSd, and the reduction of hemolysis for SSa-SSd-Lip. Under the optimal process conditions (EPC/SSa-SSd ratio, EPC/Chol ratio, water temperature and pH of PBS were 26.71, 4, 50 °C and 7.4, respectively), the mean diameter, the entrapment efficiency of SSa, the entrapment efficiency of SSd and the hemolysis were 203 nm, 79.87%, 86.19%, 25.16% (SSa/SSd 12.5 mg/mL), respectively. The pharmacokinetic studies showed that the SSa-SSd-Lip had increased circulation time, decreased Cl, and increased AUC, MRT and T(1/2β) (p < 0.05) for both SSa and SSd after intravenous administration in comparison with solution.