Modeling brain pathology to study nose-to-brain drug delivery

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Materials Science
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Targeted drug delivery to the brain remains a significant challenge.
• Intranasal administration offers a potential non-invasive route for brain drug delivery.
• Pluronic F127 is a thermoreversible polymer with potential for drug formulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a mucoadhesive, in-situ gelling intranasal dosage form using Pluronic F127.
• To facilitate targeted delivery of therapeutic agents, such as citicoline, to brain tissue.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Pluronic F127 (polyethylene glycol-block-polypropylene glycol-block-polyethylene glycol) as the primary polymer.
• Investigated the transformation of Pluronic F127 solution into a gel upon intranasal administration.
• Incorporated citicoline (cytidine diphosphocholine) as a model drug.

Main Results:

• Pluronic F127 solution transforms into a gel upon intranasal instillation.
• The resulting gel exhibits retention in the nasal cavity for 45-55 minutes.
• This prolonged retention enhances drug penetration into brain tissue.

Conclusions:

• Pluronic F127 demonstrates favorable gelling and mucoadhesive properties for intranasal drug delivery.
• The developed formulation shows potential for targeted brain drug delivery.
• Further preclinical research is warranted to validate its efficacy.