Comparative evaluation of intranasally delivered quetiapine loaded mucoadhesive microemulsion and polymeric nanoparticles for brain targeting: pharmacokinetic and gamma scintigraphy studies

Abstract Background Treatment in neurological disorders like schizophrenia requires continuous presence of drug the brain for a prolonged period time to achieve an effective therapeutic response. Delivery antipsychotic quetiapine form conventional delivery systems suffers from low oral bioavailability, first-pass metabolism, and frequent dosing. In addition that biological obstacles present at interface also hinders transport across brain. study, nasal loaded nanoparticles microemulsion formulation were designed evaluate their individual vivo potential targeting. Chitosan-based polymeric mucoadhesive developed through ionic gelation water titration method respectively. Results Microemulsion showed globule size lower than 50 nm with 95% loading while, exhibited 65% particle 131 nm. Nasal diffusion study highest chitosan-based over suggesting permeation-enhancing effects chitosan. Due overall hydrophilic nature, quetiapine-loaded could not diffuse superiorly mucosa, hence, 1.3 times lesser compared microemulsion. Pharmacokinetics rats concentration 1.9-folds higher bioavailability direct olfactory route bypassing blood-brain barrier. Conclusion Higher suggested synergistic tight junction modulation by chitosan unique composition facilitating smaller be responsible transport. Imaging gamma scintigraphy supported pharmacokinetic outcomes concluded promising nanocarrier approach non-invasive nose delivery. Graphical abstract