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CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1871-5273
ISSN (Online): 1996-3181

Research Article

Development of a Nasal Donepezil-loaded Microemulsion for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease: in vitro and ex vivo Characterization

Author(s): Lupe C. Espinoza, Marisol Vacacela, Beatriz Clares*, Maria Luisa Garcia, Maria-Jose Fabrega and Ana C. Calpena

Volume 17, Issue 1, 2018

Page: [43 - 53] Pages: 11

DOI: 10.2174/1871527317666180104122347

Price: $65

Abstract

Background: Donepezil (DPZ) is widely prescribed as a specific and reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor for the symptomatic treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Objective: Considering the therapeutic potential of DPZ and the advantages offered by the intranasal route as an alternative for drug administration, the aim of this study was the development and characterization of a DPZ microemulsion (ME) for nose-to-brain delivery.

Method: The ME was developed by construction of pseudoternary phase diagrams and characterized by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Flow properties and viscosity, as well as optical stability and stability under storage at different temperatures were evaluated. Finally, in vitro release and ex vivo permeation studies through porcine nasal mucosa were accomplished.

Results: A transparent and homogeneous DPZ-ME (12.5 mg/ml) was obtained. The pH and viscosity were 6.38 and 44.69 mPa·s, respectively, indicating nasal irritation prevention and low viscosity. The mean droplet size was 58.9±3.2 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.19±0.04. The morphological analysis revealed the spherical shape of droplets, as well as their smooth and regular surface. Optical stability evidenced no destabilization processes. DPZ release profile indicated that the ME followed a hyperbolic kinetic model while the ex vivo permeation profile showed that the highest permeation occurred during initial 4 h and the maximum permeated amount was approximately 2000 µg, which corresponds to 80% of the starting amount of drug.

Conclusion: We conclude that our nasal ME could be considered as a new potential tool for further investigation in the AD.

Keywords: Donepezil, Alzheimer's disease, intranasal route, microemulsion, permeation, delivery systems.

Graphical Abstract

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