Lipid-based formulations to enhance oral bioavailability of the poorly water-soluble drug anethol trithione: effects of lipid composition and formulation.

This study has explored the use of lipid-based formulations to enhance the oral bioavailability of the poorly water-soluble drug anethol trithione (ATT), and compared the performance of different formulations. Two groups of lipid-based formulations, sub-microemulsion (SME) and oil solution, were prepared using short (SCT), medium (MCT) and long (LCT) chain triglycerides respectively; aqueous suspension was used as the reference formulation. In vitro and in vivo studies were conducted to investigate the impact of lipid composition and formulation on drug absorption. In vitro digestion was used to analyze lipid digestion rates and drug distribution/solubilization. After in vitro digestion, the performance rank order for drug solubilization was SCT