Development of a Nanoemulsion Incorporating 3-Acetyl-11-Keto-Β-Boswellic Acid (Akba): Solubility and Oral Bioavailability Through in Vitro and in Vivo Studies Publisher Pubmed



Ketabchi N ; Ostad SN ; Ghazikhansari M ; Ghanbari H ; Esmaeili F ; Amani A
Source: BMC Biotechnology Published:2026

Abstract

Background: 3-Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) has attracted considerable interest due to its therapeutic potential against inflammatory and cancer-related disorders. However, its poor oral bioavailability remains a critical limitation for clinical application. This study aimed to enhance the bioavailability of AKBA by developing a nanoemulsion (NE)-based delivery system. Results: Several NE formulations were optimized and characterized based on drug loading, stability, and droplet size. The optimized NE-AKBA showed a droplet size of 12–15 nm, a low polydispersity index, and a zeta potential of − 14.5 mV. Permeability studies revealed significantly improved transport of NE-AKBA across Caco-2 monolayers within the first hour. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed a notable increase in systemic exposure: Cmax increased from 3.36 to 12.23 µg/mL and AUC0 − t increased from 40.9 to 72.1 µg·h/mL, while Tmax remained unchanged at 6 h, indicating an enhanced extent of absorption without alteration of absorption kinetics. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that nanoemulsion-based delivery significantly improves the oral bioavailability of AKBA and provides a promising platform for its future therapeutic development. © The Author(s) 2026.