In vitro/in vivo evaluation of gamma-aminobutyric acid-loadedN,N-dimethylacrylamide-based pegylated polymeric nanoparticles for brain delivery to treat epilepsy

Abstract

Objectives of this study were the delivery of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) into the brain by means of developing brain targeted, nanosized, non-toxic and biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles, and investigating their effectiveness in epilepsy. For this purpose, GABA conjugated N,N-dimethylacrylamide-based pegylated nanoparticles were designed and characterised for particle size, zeta potential, pH, morphology, DSC, XRD, FTIR, GABA quantification and in vitro release. Formulations showed smaller particle size, cationic zeta potential characteristic, possible GABA polymeric matrix interaction and prolonged release pattern. Brain responses were examined using epileptic rats. Both formulations prepared were found to increase latency of seizure, decrease ending time of convulsion, duration of severe convulsion and mortality rate significantly compared with GABA solution. When GABA concentration was measured in Stratum corsatum, there was no statistical difference between GABA solution and formulations. All findings suggested enhancement in all phases of seizures indicating efficient delivery of GABA into the brain via formulations.

Keywords:

• Gamma-aminobutyric acid
• pegylated polymeric nanoparticles
• stability
• epilepsy
• pharmacodynamics

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Res. Ass. Şule Aydın (Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Faculty of Medicine) and Res. Ass. Çiğdem Ünel (Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Faculty of Medicine) for their professional assistance in the in vivo and in vitro toxicity studies, and to Kinyas Aydın for his technical support in the polymerisation studies.

Disclosure statement

The authors report that they have no conflicts of interest.

Funding

This study was supported by Anadolu University Scientific Research Foundation (Project no. 1206S106).