Abstract: 
The drug-lipid complex formulation is a potential drug delivery approach for the polyphenolic phytoconstituents which works by improving the drug solubility, absorption and bioavailability. Rutin is a polyphenolic flavonoid known for several biological effects such as anti-oxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, cardio-protective etc. but due to its low solubility, absorption and bioavailability problems the use is limited. We formulated the phytosomal nanocarriers of rutin to overcome these limitations. The rutin phytosomal nanocarriers were prepared by solvent evaporation method using different ratios of rutin and soybean phosphatidylcholine (1:1, 1:2 and 1:3) and characterised for compatibility, particle size, poly dispersity index, zeta potential, surface morphology, solubility, drug content, in-vitro drug release and kinetics. The formulated rutin phytosomal nano carriers were in nanometric size, negative surface charge and exhibited porous, fluffy and rough surface. The aqueous solubility of pure rutin was found to be 1.59 µg/ml which was improved in F2 formulation which showed 42.71 µg/ml aqueous solubility. The in-vitro drug release studies demonstrated no significant drug release from pure drug and rutin phytosomal nano carriers up to 120 min in acidic buffer pH 1.2 whereas in the phosphate buffer pH 7.4 formulation F2 showed highest drug release of 76.9 % at the end of 24 h which followed diffusion controlled drug release mechanism. The phytosomal nanocarriers of rutin with improved solubility, dissolution characteristics found promising for better drug delivery.

Keywords: Rutin, SPC, Phytosomal Nanocarriers, Solubility, Dissolution.