Quantification of SIF.

<p>(<b>A</b>).The UV-visible spectrum of soy isoflavone. (<b>B</b>).The standard curve between the absorbance and SIF concentration. Three different batches microspheres were calculated as the formula described in methods. Data are expressed as the mean ± SD. </p

Morphology Characterization of SIF/CHI Microspheres.

<p>(<b>A</b>-<b>C</b>). The surface morphology of microspheres prepared from optimized (A) or unoptimized (B) formulation was investigated by stereo-microscope and by fluoroscopy (C) using FITC-labeled chi-tosan. (<b>D</b>). The diameter distribution curve of SIF/CHI microspheres. </p

Determination <i>of</i><i>In</i><i>Vitro</i> Release (R %).

<p>Six samples of different groups of SIF/CHI microspheres were released in different simulation liquids, at 1h, 2h, 4h, 8h, 12h, and 24h to observe the collapse state in each group. </p

Morris Water Maze Test.

<p>All mice (n=8 per group) were trained in a circular pool (100 cm in diameter) located in a lit room with visual cues. An escape platform (9 cm in diameter) was submerged 2.0 cm below the surface of the pool water, which was maintained at 23 ± 2°C, and mixed with milk powder to obscure the platform. The location of the platform remained in the center of northwest quadrant throughout the 4-day training period. Then the mice were released into the water facing the wall of the pool, in turn of north, south, east and west for each trial. (<b>A</b>). Latencies to escape from the water maze (finding the submerged escape platform) were collected in the place navigation test. (<b>B</b>).The spatial probe trial was made by removing the platform and allowing each mouse to swim freely for 60s inside the pool. (<b>C</b>).The time of swimming for each mouse spent in the target quadrant (where the platform was removed) and the number of times for each mouse crossed over the target quadrant were recorded with a computerized video system. All values are denoted as the mean ±SD from at least three independent experiments. Bars with different letters differ significantly from each other (P< 0.05). Vehicle: The vehicle control group mice were given daily subcutaneous injection of saline (0.9% NaCl) and 1ml saline (0.9% NaCl) without isoflavone orally for 30 days. Model: The model group mice were received daily subcutaneous injection of D-gal for 30 days and were given 1ml saline (0.9% NaCl) without SIF orally for 30 days. NSR: The NSR group mice were received the same mass of D-gal and daily SIF commercial capsules containing 75 mg/kg isoflavone in saline (0.9% NaCl) by oral gavage for 30 days. SR: The SR group mice were given the same mass of SIF/CHI microspheres packaged in empty capsules as the NSR group. </p

Determination <i>of In Vitro</i> Release (R %) of SIF/CHI Microspheres containing different chitosan concentration.

<p>Determination <i>of In Vitro</i> Release (R %) of SIF/CHI Microspheres containing different chitosan concentration.</p