LC-MS/MS pharmacokinetic analysis of quercetin loaded nanoparticles in rat plasma

What is it about?

The results demonstrated enhanced bioavailability after oral administration of quercetin nanoparticles as compared to suspension probably due to increased solubility, absorption and residence time of drug delivered at the nanometric scale.

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Why is it important?

Quercetin is found in plasma in the form of conjugated quercetin (high concentration) and unchanged quercetin (low detectable amount) (Erlund et al., 2000), confirming its low oral bioavailability due to extensive metabolism (first pass and enterohepatic metabolism) after oral dosing (Chen et al., 2005). Most of the studies, analyze the total quercetin (free and metabolized), due to low detectable amount of free quercetin after oral administration. In the present study, we have developed a quercetin loaded biodegradable nanoparticles, which enhances the oral bioavailability (reducing the conversion of free quercetin to metabolites) by enhancing the solubility of drug, reducing the first pass metabolism (co-polymer employed in formulation are known to circumvent the reticulo-endothelial system) and prolonged circulation time.

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