Formulation and Biopharmaceutical Evaluation of Self-Microemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems (SMEDDS) Containing Silymarin

Carduus marianus extract (formally called silymarin) have been used mainly as a medicament for hepatobiliary diseases. The major component of silymarin is silybin, which constitutes between 50 and 70% of the drug and is the major active component. Many experiments show the efficacy of silybin parenterally administerated. But, its bioavailability is low after oral administration due to its low solubility in water. (omitted)