Effects of Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimers on Ocular Absorption of Puerarin Using Microdialysis

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers on ocular absorption of puerarin. Methods: The samples of rabbits' aqueous humor were collected by in vivo microdialysis. The ocular pharmacokinetic properties of puerarin were measured to evaluate the effects of PAMAM dendrimers on ocular absorption of puerarin. Results: In the pharmacokinetic studies, the AUC(0 similar to infinity) values of puerarin solution with 0.2% (w/v) PAMAM dendrimers (G3.0, G4.0, G5.0) were greater than those in the control group by 2.3-, 3.5-, and 2.1-folds, respectively. The C-max values of puerarin solution with 0.2% (w/v) PAMAM dendrimers were 1.5, 2.5, and 1.3 times the values of the control group and the t(1/2) values were significantly longer than that of control group. Conclusions: Using PAMAM dendrimers might be a promising strategy to enhance the absorption of puerarin. The generation of PAMAM dendrimers may play a key role in increasing the ocular absorption of puerarin.