TARGETED DELIVERY OF SILYMARIN TO LIVER CELLS BY GALACTOSYLATED NANOPARTICLES: IN-VITRO & IN-VIVO EVALUATION STUDIES

Targeted delivery of drug to hepatic can be successfully achieved by binding to asialoglycoprotein receptor which is present in liver cells. For the targeting of liver cells, galactosylated chitosan nanoparticles were prepared and silymarin drug was loaded for the treatment of liver cirrhosis. The prepared galactosylated and chitosan nanoparticles were evaluated by physiochemical parameters like particles size, morphology, entrapment efficiency, zeta potential and invitro release studies. The successful formulation was subjected to invivo evaluation studies like organ drug distribution studies and Hepatoprotective activity by calculating SGOT, SGPT concentration. Based on plasma drug concentration profile, pharmacokinetics parameters like AUC, AUMC, Cmax, Tmax, t1/2, MRT & clearances were evaluated. The above results indicate galactosylated chitosan nanoparticles might be the best suitable carrier to target liver cells in treating liver cirrhosis