Preparation and evaluation of luteolin–phospholipid complex as an effective drug delivery tool against GalN/LPS induced liver damage

The phyto-phospholipid complexation technique is a promising approach to improve the bioavailability and efficacy of flavonoids.The objective of this study was to improve the bioavailability and efficacy of luteolin by phospholipid complexation against inflammatory liver damage.The phospholipid complex of luteolin (LPC) was prepared by solvent evaporation accompanied by freeze drying. The physicochemical properties of LPC were investigated by means of spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Pharmacokinetic parameters in rats were determined and the hepatoprotective potential was assessed against D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide (GalN/LPS) induced hepatic damage.LPC showed drug loading of 74.14% and average particle size 147.4 nm. The results of FTIR, thermal and diffraction studies confirmed the formation of complex. The aqueous/n-octanol solubility showed improvements. LPC showed an increase in relative in vivo bioavailability to 535.31% of pure luteolin. The histological and biochemical changes induced by GalN/LPS were significantly ameliorated by LPC.Hepatoprotective effect of LPC was more profound than luteolin with a particle size suitable for passive targeting of inflammatory sites.LPC was successfully formulated under optimized conditions and is an efficient drug delivery system for oral administration of luteolin with enhanced bioavailability and hepatoprotective potential.