Preparation and characterisation of silybin nanoemulsions based on complex emulsifiers: stability, in vitro release properties and antioxidant capacity

Summary The low solubility of Silybin (Slb) presents a significant obstacle to its further application. In this study, silybin nanoemulsion (Slb‐NE) stabilised by sodium aseinate/glycyrrhetinic acid (NaCas/GA) complex emulsifiers were prepared for effective delivery of Slb. When the NaCas:GA mass ratio was 1:1, Slb‐NE had small particle size (189 nm), low PDI (0.125), and high zeta potential (−27.27 mv). SEM, TEM, and FI‐IR studies indicated that the emulsion system was spherical and homogeneous, and Slb was successfully loaded into Slb‐NE without generating new chemical bonds. Furthermore, the complex emulsifiers improved the stability of Slb‐NE. In vitro release and antioxidant experiments showed that the incorporation of GA strengthened the sustained release and antioxidant capacity of Slb‐NE. NaCas/GA can be used as a natural and green complex emulsifiers for delivery of difficult‐to‐solve ingredients.